What's a workflow?

One of the main goals of software is to simplify workflows. So, what's a workflow?

• A workflow is a sequence of tasks, designed to accomplish a specific result.
• Workflows simplify complex processes, breaking them down into smaller and simpler tasks that can be accomplished with relative ease.
• Some workflow tasks are one-person activities; others may require multiple persons working together, or in parallel.
• If team members in a workflow complete their assigned tasks at the right time, the workflow should reliably deliver the expected result.

An approval workflow is a structured process that's used to manage and control the approval of various types of documents, decisions, or actions. It typically involves a sequence of steps where approvers or approval groups review, comment on, and ultimately approve or reject a request.

Workflows can be implemented as processes and procedures in teams, where they help streamline operation. Implemented as software, however, workflows move faster, become more reliable, and handle a sizeable percentage of tasks without human intervention. For example, if the user requesting a cost adjustment has the privilege required to approve cost adjustments, the application skips the workflow and automatically approves the adjustment. On the other hand, if you want the user to only initiate the cost adjustment and route the adjustment request to designated approvers, then you should create a custom role that doesn't have the privilege to approve cost adjustment requests and assign this custom role to the user. You then configure the approval rules in BPM Worklist such that when the requester is this user, the request is routed to the designated approver for approval.