What Are Workflow Management Rules?

Workflow management rules are a set of policies and procedures that govern the completion of workflows. They determine what steps should be taken and when, allowing the process to follow the most efficient route to the end. When a business uses a well-organized workflow to automate its most repetitive and predictable tasks, it frees up employees’ time to concentrate on strategic projects.

Workflows can be found in a variety of formats to fit the needs of any project. For example the term “sequential workflow” refers to one in which the next stage cannot begin until the previous one is completed. This is a common workflow in expense management where employees are reimbursed by receipts to be submitted and payment authorization.

A state-machine workflow is a sequence of actions on a work product in a certain order, with each step changing the work product to different states, like “being written” or “completed”. State-machine workflows can also have additional rules in place like if-this, then-that conditional logic that can be used to set the process’s path.

Additionally, parallel workflows include several steps that can be undertaken simultaneously toward a final goal, like https://managingworkflow.org/2020/04/01/how-to-manage-your-workflow-more-effectively-using-a-data-room/ processing and mailing a sweater to a client once the company has confirmed that it’s available. All of these steps can be automated using a workflow software.

With the right tools for managing workflows it’s easy to develop and manage processes that are structured to optimize productivity, accountability, and efficiency. By streamlining communication and making sure that all team members are aware of their roles and responsibilities, and are aware of their roles, managers can eliminate the confusion that leads to missed projects and deadlines.