You can specify the expiration duration of a task in this global policy section (also known as the routing slip level).

Figure 29-49 shows the Deadlines section of the Human Task Editor.

If the expiration duration is specified at the routing slip level instead of at the participant type level, then this duration is the expiration duration of the task across all the participants. However, if you specify expiration duration at the participant type level (through the Limit allocated duration to check box), then those settings take precedence over settings specified in the Deadlines section (routing slip level).

You can also specify that a task be escalated to a user's manager after a specified time period. For more information, see Specifying a Time Limit for Acting on a Task.