Worklist

A worklist is a curated list of tasks or work items that are queued for processing by a person, a team, or an automated system. It is used to organize, prioritize, and monitor work within a process or workflow. A worklist typically presents entries with fields such as an identifier, description, priority, due date, owner, status, and related resources, and may be integrated with a broader system such as a task manager, ticketing system, or enterprise workflow engine.

In manufacturing and service delivery, a worklist coordinates activities on the shop floor or in the field, listing steps, inspections, or maintenance tasks that must be completed in a given order or by priority. In healthcare information systems, digital worklists route patient studies, orders, or specimens to the appropriate workstation, aiming to balance capacity, urgency, and accuracy.

In software and information technology operations, worklists function as queues or task boards that feed automation scripts or human actors, supporting scheduling, routing, and progress tracking. Users can typically filter by status, priority, due date, or assignee, and receive alerts or reminders when deadlines approach.

Lifecycle considerations for a worklist include creation, assignment, execution, completion, and archival of entries. Common design features include real-time updates, audit trails, concurrency controls, and integration with other data sources. Benefits include improved visibility, throughput, accountability, and resource utilization. Potential challenges involve data quality, risk of bottlenecks, and the need for clear ownership, governance, and change management.