About study workflows

On paper, a study designer often charts the major events of a study by using a flow diagram that indicates the order in which a subject progresses from one step to another and also shows where any branches in the study occur. You can use the study workflow tools to map out the flow of a study in a similar way.

Study workflow tools provide a way to define:

• The major branches and events of a study.
• The forms used to collect clinical observations at each study event.
• Decision points that determine the path a subject follows through the study based on specific observations.

The process of designing the study workflow creates the actual study objects. A lead study designer can set up the outline by designing the study workflow and can assign the detail design tasks to other members of the team.

Use the Workflow Diagram tab to create a study workflow.

About the Workflow Diagram tab

The Workflow Diagram tab enables you to create graphical study workflow diagrams that specify the sequence of steps in a study and the points where the study workflow can branch depending on the outcome of specific observations. The Central Designer application keeps the study objects in the Workflow Diagram and Workflow Grid tabs synchronized.

The Workflow Diagram tab appears in the Study Design, Study Element, and Study Event Editors in studies, and in the Study Element and Study Event Editors in libraries. Within each editor, the Workflow Diagram tab enables you to design a different level of a study workflow.

Scope of the Workflow Diagram tab for each study object

Scope of workflow design

Where to create study workflows

You can develop study workflows in either a study or a library, and you can use study objects found in a Libraries Browser search to define a workflow in a study.

Schedule of Events tab

Another component of study workflow design is the Schedule of Events tab, which displays a schedule of events for the study. In the Schedule of Events tab, you can indicate the forms that appear in each study event.

Workflow Grid tab

You can also use the Workflow Grid tab to create workflow information. The Central Designer application keeps the information in the Workflow Diagram and Workflow Grid tabs synchronized.