How to Handle Locked Tasks During a Pending Approval Workflow in KTern Planner?
When an Approval Workflow request is raised,
all affected tasks are automatically locked. No user — including authorized
users — can edit these tasks until the workflow is resolved. This article
explains how locking works and what to do.
Why Are Tasks Locked?
Task locking is a data protection mechanism that prevents
conflicting edits while an approval is pending. Since the workflow request
captures a specific set of proposed changes, allowing further edits during the
approval process would invalidate the request and create data conflicts.
What Happens When a Task Is Locked?
• The task appears with a lock indicator in the Planner
• Edit icons and fields are disabled — no user can make
changes
• Even Project Administrators cannot override a
workflow-locked task
• The lock applies to all tasks listed in the pending
workflow request
How to Identify Which Workflow Locked a Task
Navigate — Planner →
Planner Options → Workflow → Received or Sent Tab
Filter — Set filter
to Pending to see all active workflow requests
Review — Open the
workflow to see the full list of locked tasks and their WBS numbers
How Are Tasks Unlocked?
Action | Result |
Approver Approves the Workflow | Tasks unlock — proposed changes are applied |
Approver Rejects the Workflow | Tasks unlock — original values are restored |
Requester Withdraws the Workflow | Tasks unlock — no changes are applied |
What Should You Do If a Task Is Locked?
• Contact the requester who submitted the workflow to
understand the pending change
• If you are the approver, review and act on the request
promptly to unblock the team
• If the request is outdated or incorrect, the requester
should withdraw it
• Do not attempt to delete or recreate tasks to bypass
locking — this can corrupt project data
When an Approval Workflow request is raised,
all affected tasks are automatically locked. No user — including authorized
users — can edit these tasks until the workflow is resolved. This article
explains how locking works and what to do.
Related Articles
How to Withdraw a Pending Workflow Request in KTern Planner?
A requester can withdraw a submitted Approval Workflow at any time while it remains in Pending status. This unlocks all affected tasks and permanently removes the request. When Should You Withdraw a Workflow? • You need to revise the proposed dates ...When an Approval Workflow request is raised, all affected tasks are automatically locked. No user — including authorized users — can edit these tasks until the workflow is resolved. This article explains how locking works and what to do.
Understanding exactly what triggers the Approval Workflow helps teams plan changes efficiently and avoid creating unnecessary approval requests that lock tasks and slow project progress. Complete List of Workflow Triggers Trigger Scenario Workflow ...How Can a CSM Use the Copy-Paste Feature in KTern to Accelerate Project Execution?
KTern.AI’s Copy-Paste feature allows users to quickly transfer data between Excel and the Planner Grid, streamlining project execution. By following these simple guidelines, you can optimize your workflow and enhance project management efficiency. ...How to Submit an Approval Workflow Request When Task Changes Cascade in KTern Planner?
When your authorized task update cascades to tasks owned by other User Groups, KTern automatically triggers an Approval Workflow. You must formally submit a request before the changes are saved. When Is an Approval Workflow Triggered? Any date update ...How to Effectively Govern Overdue Tasks in KTern.AI?
Managing overdue tasks is crucial for maintaining project timelines, ensuring resource efficiency, and delivering high-quality outcomes. It prevents delays from cascading into larger issues, keeping projects on track and stakeholders satisfied. ...