Assignment and auto-response rules versus later automation
Key Takeaway
Assignment rules and auto-response rules run before workflow rules and processes in the same save. They match their criteria against the values that were submitted, not against values that a workflow rule or process changes later in that save.
When a record is created or edited, Salesforce checks several kinds of rules and automation in a fixed order. Assignment rules and auto-response rules run early in that order, after validation rules but before workflow rules, processes, and escalation rules. If you know where each tool sits, you can predict what a save will do and pick the right tool for a need.
The order of execution
When a record is created or edited, Salesforce evaluates setup items in this order:
- Validation rules
- Assignment rules
- Auto-response rules
- Workflow rules and processes, and their immediate actions
- Escalation rules
Because of this order, assignment rules and auto-response rules are evaluated before any workflow rule or process in the same save. Escalation rules are evaluated last of all.