Parallel vs. sequential RFI workflow
SubmittalLink has two RFI workflows. Parallel sends the RFI to all assignees at once. Sequential routes it through ordered review steps. The project owner chooses the workflow for the whole project.
Compare the two workflows
Section titled “Compare the two workflows”| Parallel (default) | Sequential | |
|---|---|---|
| Who answers | All assignees at the same time | Reviewers step by step, in order |
| Initial ball in court | All assignees | Everyone on Step 1 |
| When a response is submitted | Other assignees stay ball in court | The step completes and moves to the next step |
| Best for | Most RFIs: quick questions to the architect or engineer | Formal chains, like engineer → architect → owner |
Parallel workflow
Section titled “Parallel workflow”Parallel is the default and the most common choice.
- Every assignee is ball in court as soon as the RFI is created, and they can all respond at the same time.
- A response doesn’t remove the other assignees from ball in court.
- A ball-in-court assignee can turn on Change Ball in Court to RFI Manager when responding. This hands the RFI back to the RFI manager.
- The RFI manager can turn on Change Ball in Court to Assignees to send it back to all assignees.
Sequential workflow
Section titled “Sequential workflow”- Review steps run in order. Everyone on the current step is ball in court.
- After all steps are complete, ball in court moves to the RFI manager.
RFI Sequential Requires All
Section titled “RFI Sequential Requires All”This project setting controls when a sequential step is complete:
- Off (default): one response from anyone on the current step completes it. Ball in court moves to the next step.
- On: every reviewer on the current step must respond before it moves on.
RFI Sequential Requires All affects only Sequential RFIs. It has no effect on Parallel RFIs or on submittals.
Change the RFI workflow
Section titled “Change the RFI workflow”- Go to Left menu → Settings.
- On the project row, open the pencil menu and click Update Project.
- Set RFI Workflow Type to Parallel or Sequential.
- (Sequential only) Turn RFI Sequential Requires All on or off.
- Click Update.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Which RFI workflow should I use?
Section titled “Which RFI workflow should I use?”Use Parallel unless your RFIs must pass through reviewers in a fixed order. Parallel is the default and gets answers fastest.
Do all assignees have to respond on a parallel RFI?
Section titled “Do all assignees have to respond on a parallel RFI?”No. Assignees respond as needed. When the question is answered, an assignee can hand ball in court to the RFI manager with Change Ball in Court to RFI Manager.
Does RFI Sequential Requires All affect submittals?
Section titled “Does RFI Sequential Requires All affect submittals?”No. It only affects Sequential RFIs. On submittals, one response always completes a review step.
Can project managers change the RFI workflow?
Section titled “Can project managers change the RFI workflow?”No. Only the project owner can change project settings.