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User Input forms – These forms allow users to input information and submit the data back to the workflow for use in subsequent activities. User Input forms appear to any user running the workflow at the point in the process where the form is placed. They can be used anywhere within a workflow and are often the first form encountered. For example, in a workflow that enables users to request resources or other actionable events, you can add a shape derived from a User Input form, allowing users to enter and submit their request details back to the workflow. The workflow then moves to the next step as dictated by the business requirements.
User Decision forms – These forms appear within a workflow when the process requires further user input or approval to proceed. Typically, User Decision forms derive their data from a User Input form and are should be used when a response to that data is necessary. Based on the User Decision Form Base Activity developed by EmpowerID, these form needs to be routed to someone to provide information or make a decision. These forms offer routing options, create a workflow tasks task for any "approvers" at that stage in the workflow, and send email notifications about the request to all relevant parties. When a workflow encounters a User Decision Form activity, it enters an idle state until a response or escalation occurs. Continuing the previous example, after a user submits a resource request via a User Input form, you could add a shape derived from a related User Decision form as the next step, requiring a user decision for the workflow to advanceto the users when the form is routed to an approver for a decision.