Every task moves through the steps its functional area uses: Preparer always, then Reviewer and Approver if the area has them ticked in Settings → Roles. The last step signs the task off.
| Status | What it means | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Not started | Nobody has picked it up | A preparer presses Start |
| In progress | Being prepared | The preparer sends it on |
| In review | Waiting for the reviewer | A reviewer |
| Awaiting approval | Waiting for the approver | An approver |
| Approved | Signed off and locked | Reopen to change it |
As the preparer
- Open the task from My Workarea, Closes or Pending.
- Press Start as your name. A task that depends on others shows Blocked and can start once they are signed off.
- Do the work. Write what you did and where the workpaper is under Notes and evidence, attach files, and press Save changes.
- Press Send for review (or Send for approval, or Mark complete and sign off if the area has no reviewer or approver). The button names who it goes to.
As the reviewer or approver
- Open the task. Check the notes, attachments, discussion and history at the bottom.
- Press Reviewed, send for approval, or Approve and sign off.
- Not right? Press Send back and say why in the discussion. It returns to the preparer.
Rules CloseDesk enforces
- Nobody reviews work they prepared, or approves work they prepared or reviewed. Not even admins.
- Anyone who holds the role can take the step. Staff managers and admins can take any step for someone who is away.
- Signed-off tasks are locked. Whoever signs off for that area, a staff manager or an admin can press Reopen.
- Every step is written to the task’s history and to the audit log, with who did it and when.
Button greyed out? See Troubleshooting: tasks and sign-off.