http://www.learningapps.info/2013/01/timeout-functionality-on-workflow.

html

Timeout Functionality on Workflow Notifications

Timeout functionality can be set on the Workflow Notifications. This will enable notifications to get Timed
Out after desired time and as per the requirement if a reminder is needed, reminder notification can be
sent and if reminder is not needed, notification can be escalated to the supervisors.

Below is the Approval notification properties of the Expense Report Approval Workflow

Go to Node Tab where you will see the option for Timeout. There are 3 options in here. 

Relative Time: This can be set when the Timeout period you want to set is Constant. If relative time is
chosen and Timeout is set then if the Timeout needs to be changed in the future, Workflow has to be
touched to set a new Timeout.

Item Attribute: This is a better option to choose when there might be a change in the Timeout period in
the future. When Item Attribute is selected, we set the Timeout period from the back end code by setting
the Timeout period in Minutes to the Workflow Attribute. Make sure this attribute value is set before
sending the notification for approval.
at 12:37 AM

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Further Detail:

http://eoracleapps.blogspot.com/2010/07/workflow-timeout.html