CiviCRM Community Forums (archive)

Roles are one of the objects that are required in a case management system.  Roles are similar to relationships in that they link contact to contact.  However, as well as linking contact to contact, they are also attached to a context, the case (or the case type.)

Each case has at least the following two roles: client and case manager (we recognize that the term “manager” is problematic for some folks, but think that this is probably the best term here.)
The most general case will also have one or more other “interested parties” (looking for the proper term here.  We had originally been using the word “participant”, but realize that CiviEVENT already uses “participant”.  Some others also use “observer” but that does not seem to be active enough)

What really end ups happening is that many of the “interested parties” will have more specific roles.  For example, “addiction counselor”, “social worker” etc.

Certain case types will have specific, required predetermined roles associated with them.  (e.g   ). But even case types with specific predetermined roles will have contacts, relationships that fall outside of the specified roles (e.g. family members, co-workers…)  who will fit into the “interested parties” category.

The discussion is definitely welcome!  If you haven't seen it yet, have a read of Andrew's response in the Automated Population of Case Milestones thread, here: http://forum.civicrm.org/index.php/topic,3453.msg15807.html#msg15807

It might even fit better in this thread about Roles, but applies to both.
Cheers.