Workflow Automation Definition

Businesses are made up of everyday tasks used to complete goals. However, when those tasks are not standardized, they can lead to more errors, redundancies, and unhappy customers. That’s where a workflow comes in. Workflows are designed to assist businesses in streamlining tasks, processes and improving their overall results. So, what is a workflow and why is it important for your business? Keep reading to learn more.

What is a Workflow?

A workflow is a group of successive actions that lead to the completion of a goal. The process must have steps that are pre-defined in order to become fully automated. Each step depends on the previous creating a sequence of actions that alternate. The need for workflow automation is rising as more and more businesses map their business processes using workflow automation tools.

When creating a workflow, you’ll want to consider what steps are required for the process completion, who should be involved in a workflow, and the average time it currently takes to complete each task. This can help you better understand your overall business process, where you can make improvements to save time, and who plays an important part in each project.

With workflow automation technology, you can easily create a workflow, set rules and use intelligent tools for task completion. We’ll discuss workflow automation later on.

Workflow vs. Process

Once you understand what a workflow is, you may be wondering what the difference between a workflow and a process is. A workflow is not the same as a process. Though these terms are often used interchangeably, a workflow is actually a part of a business process.

A workflow is a sequence of repetitive actions that complete a business goal. A business process, on the other hand, includes the workflows, people, and data that are needed to complete a given project.

What is a Workflow Diagram?

As you learn how to create a workflow, you may notice other businesses utilize workflow diagrams. What is a workflow diagram, you ask? A workflow diagram is a visual representation of the business process.

With a workflow diagram, you can clearly see how tasks are connected and create a step-by-step flowchart for process completion. You can use this diagram to rearrange your current process or identify where common bottlenecks are. Workflow diagrams also outline what team member is responsible for each task, which ultimately can improve communication within teams.

As your business grows or more bottlenecks begin to emerge, you can review your diagram workflow to determine where improvements can be made. If there is a common problem in your process, you’ll be able to visualize where a solution can be placed or if your process can be rearranged to correct the issue.

Benefits of a Workflow

Now that we’ve answered, “What is a workflow?”, let’s take a look at why workflows can be such a beneficial part of your business. Benefits of creating a workflow include:

• Improve processes. Process improvement is an essential part of business growth. As mentioned above, having a set workflow can help you identify issues and quickly brainstorm and implement solutions.
• Eliminate redundancies. You may realize as you create a workflow diagram that your current process involves steps that complete the same task in different ways. You can combine these tasks or eliminate one to save time.
• Reduce errors. With an automated workflow, your team may notice fewer errors made from manual data input or lack of communication.
• Increase productivity. An automated workflow can save your team time on routine tasks and allow them more opportunities to focus on larger-scale daily tasks.
• Reduce costs. Time is money. The less time spent on routine tasks, the less money your business has to spend on overhead costs and prolonged project completion.
• Enhance collaboration. A workflow can clearly define who is responsible for which steps in the task completion process. Team members will know who to turn to immediately when an issue arises.
• Create transparency. In addition to collaboration, there is full transparency in the process. Every team member can understand which workflow tasks are completed, which are still running or are scheduled to be done.
• Boost customer satisfaction. By improving your workflows, you are improving your customer satisfaction. A streamlined process, increased productivity, and reduced errors lead to higher-quality products or services at a faster rate.

Though creating workflows can be time-consuming at first, the automation of these workflows can ultimately save your business time and money. Learn more about how to automate your workflows below.

Automating Workflows

Workflow automation is a procedure in which business rules are applied to workflows to decide when one step has been completed and the execution of the next can begin. The right person will be notified at the right time about what has to be done and in what order. In other words, it is the automation of the predictable steps of a repetitive process so they no longer have to be done manually. The manual processes are improved and replaced with digital solutions in order to support the needs of digital business.

Workflow automation creates consistency and can be applied to any business department and interdepartmental. Workflow automation can be applied through business process management (BPM) tools with workflow management capabilities.

Comidor Workflow Automation

With Comidor, creating and automating workflows has never been easier. Our BPMN 2.0 Comidor Workflow Designer allows you to create and implement workflows that match your business needs. Our visual road-mapping tool helps you understand and organize your workflows for optimal completion. Add role-based rules and rights to your workflow so the right people are notified as tasks become available or are completed. Comidor’s intelligent automation technology can help your business produce the results you need for incredible growth.

Request a demo of our workflow automation software today to learn firsthand how you can improve your business processes!