Workflow management rules are a set of rules and procedures that regulate the completion of a workflow. They specify which steps can be completed and when. This allows the process to follow the most efficient path. When a business automatizes its most routine and predictable tasks through the proper workflow this allows employees to concentrate on strategic initiatives.
Workflows can be built in a variety of formats to fit any project. For instance the term “sequential workflow” refers to one where the next step cannot start until the prior one has finished. This is common in workflows that manage expenses, where reimbursement for employees requires receipts to be submitted and authorization for payment.
A state-machine work flow an order of actions that is performed on an item in a specified sequence. Each step moves the product into a new state, such as “being completed” or “being written”. State-machine workflows may also include additional rules, like if-this then-that conditional logic, that decide the direction of the process.
Parallel workflows permit multiple steps to be completed simultaneously to achieve a goal, like sending a garment to a client once the company confirms that it’s in stock. These steps can all be automated with an application for workflow.
With the right tools for managing workflows it is easy to design and manage processes that are structured to improve productivity, accountability and efficiency. By streamlining communication and ensuring that everyone in the team is aware of their roles and responsibilities, and are aware of them, managers are able to remove the confusion that leads to missed projects and deadlines.
Betty Wainstock
Sócia-diretora da Ideia Consumer Insights. Pós-doutorado em Comunicação e Cultura pela UFRJ, PHD em Psicologia pela PUC. Temas: Tecnologias, Comunicação e Subjetividade. Graduada em Psicologia pela UFRJ. Especializada em Planejamento de Estudos de Mercado e Geração de Insights de Comunicação.