Introducing Workflow Introducing WorkflowWorkflow, simply defined, is a sequence of actions or steps used in business processes.
In technical terms, the segment of GroupWare that automates business processes is called workflow. Workflow is an enabling technology that allows businesses to streamline their processes for greater efficiencies.
Few examples of Workflow processes are: Recruitment, Loan Processing, LC Processing, Admissions Procedures in Educational Institutions, Process in Manufacturing Industry, Automation of new account, Credit card applications processing, bill discounting, and so on.
1. They involve more than one person / application and a logical structure to the routing sequence.
2. Much like the business processes they automate, Workflow applications are more organization-specific. For example, a bill process may range from a simple two-participant process to one that encompasses multiple databases and approval points. So, workflow refers to the enabling technology that helps the customer build workflow applications very specific to their organization.
3. The application characteristics of Routes, Rules, and Roles are much more definable and specific in a workflow application than in an average GroupWare application. So, an information sharing GroupWare application becomes a workflow application when:
A specific process is defined (e.g. A -> B -> C),
Specific roles are set ( A – originator, B – reviewer, C – approver ), and
Specific rules are in place (Contract is valid when C approves it, the Contract goes back to B for the changes to be incorporated if C rejects it, and so on).
