> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.collibra.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.collibra.com/workflows/managing-workflows-in-collibra/configuration-variables/duration-variables.md).

# Duration variables

Duration variables control time-based behavior for a user task. Collibra generates two duration variables for each user task:

* **\<task id>DueDate**, which shows a due date to the user when the task is presented for information purposes only.
* **\<task id>EscalationDuration**, which sets the time before the task escalates through the out-of-the-box [Escalation Process workflow](/workflows/out-of-the-box-workflows-walk-throughs/escalation-process.md).

Both variables use the ISO 8601 duration format for their values, for example **PT2H30M** for a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Collibra also supports business day durations. To denote a business day duration, use B instead of P, for example **B7D** for 7 business days or **B20D** for 20 business days. Business day durations do not take weekends into account. If a business day duration ends on a weekend, the duration ends on the first weekday after the weekend.