These days for any kind of software activities one of the most important things is workflow. Whenever a client or anybody in the company is looking for the progress of a particular work then one of the first things they check is the workflow. If you have been wondering about “how does workflow work” and why it is so important these days then here are a few things that you must know and keep in mind.
how does workflow work?
The easiest way to describe how a basic workflow function is to understand the loop functioning of a loop activity. Workflow is basically a pattern designed that keeps on repeating itself in the form of a loop program every day or any specific time frame in which this loop will be repeating. This time frame can be adjusted according to your requirements but it cannot fluctuate from cycle to cycle. You can adjust the number of checkpoints and time span at each point according to your convenience.
You can check progress in the workflow outline
Usually when you have a product with a workflow designed than one of the basic things is that you can do is check the progress of the cycle. Say your product needs to travel from reception to some manufacturing unit to the packaging unit to the manager and so on. So, the manager can check where the product is at the moment using this kind of product. So, it increases the overall convenience of the product to a great extent. Most commercial units have this kind of product.
Different types of workflow
Usually, you can have 3 major types of workflow.
- The first one is a linear workflow that shows a one-way path where you can move from one step to the next but there is no coming back. This one does not operate in a loop.
- The second one is the state machine workflow where you can move both ways. You can move in the next step or go back to the previous step if you want.
- The last one is the rules-driven workflow which has a very definite pattern and operates on a definite set of rules. So, you can allow data capture or automate tasks as well.
Thus, if you have been looking for the advantages of workflow models then keep these aspects in mind and decide on what kind of workflow you are looking for.
