What is Workflow Software? Workflow software automates and tracks a series of related activities that support a defined task. The software controls the sequence of events and coordinates the interaction between staff and work activities. It helps ensure that business and organizational processes are being conducted correctly and in the most efficient manner possible. The software allows managers to define, monitor, and oversee tasks and evaluate their related processes. A workflow organizes and ...
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Workflow software automates and tracks a series of related activities that support a defined task. The software controls the sequence of events and coordinates the interaction between staff and work activities. It helps ensure that business and organizational processes are being conducted correctly and in the most efficient manner possible. The software allows managers to define, monitor, and oversee tasks and evaluate their related processes.
A workflow organizes and prioritizes a series of operations that consist of automated or manual triggers, rules and conditions, and actions. Multiple workflow tools can be combined into a single application that supports a business goal. Most workflow software products do not require coding to take advantage of their features. They support sequential and parallel workflows and provide portals for convenient collaboration
Workflows can be categorized as:
System-centric – most of the tasks are handled by systems and machines, minimizing, or eliminating human intervention
Human-centric – workflow activities that are primarily conducted manually
Document-centric – tasks that revolve around data or documents
Workflows can be customer or employee-facing and are used by a variety of industries and organizations including IT, HR, financial services, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and customer service.
Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence features are used to design workflows with limited human intervention required. Chatbots are being incorporated into workflow software to help create new tasks and automate new workflows.
Workflow Software vs. BPM and ECM
Workflow management is closely related to process management. Workflows are the building blocks of business processes. A workflow is a sequential set of activities required to complete a task. A process is a series of repeatable actions to achieve a goal. Workflow software automates workflow management, while BPM (Business Process Management) software streamlines business processes and their workflows to create an agile and efficient business. Workflow management orchestrates a sequence of tasks for a specific process. BPM manages multiple workflows and business processes. ECM (Enterprise Content Management) Software improves workflows creating more effective business processes.
Workflow software tools will include many of these features.
Consider the following when purchasing workflow software.
Scale: Large-scale operations should consider products that are scalable, flexible, and offer advanced features. Small to mid-size businesses should consider products that are cloud or web-based, which make for a less costly deployment, and minimize the need for in-house IT support.
Business Process Improvement: Software that provides robust metrics, analytics, and reporting features offers insights into bottlenecks, redundancies, and team performance. This information enables managers to streamline their operations and improve productivity.
Ease of Use: To readily take advantage of these tools, select products that are user-friendly, provide graphical interfaces, make it easy to create and update custom workflows, and do not require coding.
User-based monthly pricing usually begins around $10 a month and can exceed $50 a month. Some products are licensed by the month ranging from $900 to over $2,500 a month, others are priced by the number of workflows supported. Enterprise solutions usually require a price quote. Free trials are available.
These additional resources from TrustRadius offer more information on workflow software: