workthrough

Workthrough is a term used to describe a step-by-step method for completing a task or solving a problem. In its noun sense, a workthrough is a guided explanation that details the sequence of actions, inputs, intermediate states, and expected outcomes needed to reach a solution. As a verb phrase, to work through something means to proceed through its components in a deliberate, thorough manner until it is resolved or completed.

Spelling and usage vary. The form work-through or work through is encountered, but walk-through and walkthrough are also common in many fields. While walk-through is frequently used for demonstrations, tours, or tutorials, workthrough often emphasizes the cognitive or procedural effort involved in solving or completing a task.

Typical contexts include education, where instructors present a problem-solving process; software development and technical support, where a workthrough documents how to reproduce a bug, configure a system, or validate a workflow; and puzzles or games, where a workthrough reveals the solution steps. A workthrough can be textual, visual, or a combination of both.

Relation to walkthrough: the terms overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably, but they convey slightly different emphases. In formal writing, the choice may reflect whether the emphasis is on the methodical process (workthrough) or on a step-by-step demonstration (walkthrough).