Can custom Sharepoint 2007 workflows handle time-sensitive events?

I need to create a custom workflow for use in Sharepoint 2007. The crux of it is that a workflow task will be created in SP when the workflow is started and if that task isn't complete in X minutes, an email should be sent reminding the user to complete the task.

Is there a mechanic in WF that can handle this? From what I'm reading (totally new to WF) it do开发者_JAVA百科esn't appear there is and I really need some external process that checks all task items regularly and notifies accordingly. It doesn't appear I can handle this solely in a WF.

Is that right?

If you're using SharePoint designer to create your workflow, then there is no easy solution to this.

But if you're make a "real" workflow using Visual Studio then the solution is something like this:

• Create Task
• Code (Calculate when to send e-mail)
• While (Task not completed/deleted)
  • Listen (With 3 branches)
    1. Task Modified
       • Code (Check if completed)
       • What else you might want
    2. Task Deleted
       • What should happen in this case
    3. Delay
       • Send E-mail
       • Code (Calculate new time to escalate)