proceduretypes

Proceduretypes are a classification and metadata model used in process management systems to define the characteristics of procedural activities. They describe the structure, required data, validation rules, and execution constraints that apply to a procedure within a workflow or business process.

A proceduretype typically includes a set of attributes such as a unique identifier, name, description, category, and a defined input schema. It also specifies the sequence of steps, responsible participants or systems, decision rules, and any service-level agreements or timeouts. Many implementations distinguish between categories like manual, automated, and hybrid procedures, as well as operational versus administrative and exception-handling procedures. Versioning and status fields support governance and change control, while an audit trail enables traceability of changes and executions.

Proceduretypes are used to instantiate concrete procedures across multiple processes, enabling reuse and standardization. By enforcing consistent data requirements and execution patterns, they help ensure compliance, facilitate monitoring, and simplify reporting. They can drive routing decisions, determine which tasks are assigned to people or automated agents, and influence outcomes based on defined rules or external signals.

Examples include a healthcare intake proceduretype that gathers patient information and consents, a manufacturing quality-check proceduretype that combines sensor data collection with a manual review step, and an IT change-approval proceduretype that routes requests through validation, risk assessment, and approval gates. Effective management of proceduretypes involves clear governance, lifecycle management, and alignment with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.

See also: process management, workflow, business process management, BPMN, automation, governance.