workflow
/ˈwɜːk.fləʊ/noun
An agreed sequence of tasks, decisions and handovers used to take work from start to finish.
The workflow sends an expense claim above the agreed limit to a manager for approval.
A workflow shows how work moves through an organisation. For an expense claim, the steps might be submission, review, approval and payment. Each step has an owner and conditions that must be met before moving on.
Include the exceptions
Real work does not always follow the shortest route. An application may be incomplete, a reviewer may be absent or an approval may be withdrawn. A useful workflow also describes what happens in those situations.
Software can display the current status, assign tasks and prevent required steps from being skipped. Employees then spend less time asking who is handling a case.
Workflow and automation
A workflow can be entirely manual. Process automation starts when software performs steps itself. You can therefore describe a workflow first, then decide which tasks to automate. An employee can still carry out a review while reminders are sent automatically.