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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived) / Are workflow steps rea...
Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

Are workflow steps really synchronous?

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Posted on by Žarko Radevic 4

Hi,

I was not able to find an accepted answer to a question if workflow steps are executed asynchronously. There are a couple of threads in which people have commented differently.

If I have a custom step which calls a wcf service SYNCHRONOUSLY and wcf service also does everything synchronously, can I be sure that the step after my custom activity will always be able to see every record created by a service?

Some answers suggest putting a timeout of 1 minute, but it just doesn't feel right and bulletproof.

For me it is logical since a custom step can return a value for the next step to use, but I can't find it documented and verified.

Thanks in advance

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  • Žarko Radevic Profile Picture
    Žarko Radevic 4 on at
    RE: Are workflow steps really synchronous?

    Yes, and this question is about CRM 2011 also, but I think same applies for other versions (has nothing to do with new feature of synchronous workflows). Workflow as a whole is executed asynchronously, but steps inside it sequentially.

  • a33ik Profile Picture
    a33ik 84,331 Most Valuable Professional on at
    RE: Are workflow steps really synchronous?

    Question was regarding CRM 2011. CRM 2011 has only async workflows that means that in general all steps are executed asynchronously. But if you look on steps just inside workflow - steps are executed sequently inside the context of workflow instance. I believe that caused misunderstanding.

  • Žarko Radevic Profile Picture
    Žarko Radevic 4 on at
    RE: Are workflow steps really synchronous?

    Thanks Andrii for the answer. You should maybe edit your answer regarding the similar question here, it may be misunderstood.

  • Verified answer
    a33ik Profile Picture
    a33ik 84,331 Most Valuable Professional on at
    RE: Are workflow steps really synchronous?

    Hello,

    Yes. Every next step in workflow is executed after previous one is completed.

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