workflow

A workflow is the sequence of tasks, decisions, and resources required to complete a business process. It defines the order of operations, who performs each task, what data passes between steps, and the conditions that trigger transitions. Workflows can be manual, automated, or a mix of both.

Core components include tasks, participants (actors), inputs and outputs, rules or business logic, triggers or events, data artifacts, and timing constraints. A workflow typically has a defined starting point, a set of possible paths, and an endpoint or outcome.

Modeling and execution: Workflows are modeled using diagrams or notations such as BPMN. Execution is carried out by individuals, software agents, or integrated systems, coordinated by a workflow management system or workflow engine that assigns work, enforces rules, moves data, and records progress for auditing.

Types and patterns: Workflows can be structured or unstructured. Common patterns include sequential steps, parallel branches, conditional routing, loops, and multi-instance tasks that run multiple times for different participants.

Relation to BPM and automation: Workflow is a central concept in business process management. Automation uses software to perform tasks, integrate systems, and streamline handoffs, often within a workflow engine.

Benefits and challenges: Effective workflows improve visibility, consistency, throughput, and accountability. Challenges include governance, change management, data silos, interoperability between systems, and maintaining up-to-date models.

Applications and standards: Workflows appear in manufacturing, services, software development pipelines, healthcare, and administration. Standards and notations, such as BPMN 2.0 and XPDL, help with cross-system portability and analysis; process mining can be used to discover workflows from data.