What Are Workflow Management Rules?

https://managingworkflow.org/2019/11/09/workflow-management-rules-and-tools/

Workflow management rules are the set of rules and guidelines that define how a workflow is completed. They define which steps can be taken and when they should be taken, allowing the process to follow the most efficient way to reach its conclusion. When a business employs an organized workflow to automate its most repetitive and predictable tasks, it frees up employees’ time to concentrate on more strategic projects.

Workflows can be found in a variety of formats that can be used for any project. For example a sequential workflow is one in which the next step can’t begin until the previous one is completed. This is a common process in expense management, where reimbursement of employees requires receipts and authorization to pay.

A state-machine workflow is an arrangement of activities on a work product in a specific order, with each action taking the work product into different allowed states such as “being written” or “completed”. State-machine workflows may also include additional rules, like the if-this-then-that logic, which determine the flow of the process.

In addition, parallel workflows can have multiple steps that can be performed in tandem to reach a common objective, for example, processing and mailing an item to a customer once the company has confirmed that it’s available. These can all be automated with the help of an application for workflow.

With the right tools for managing workflows it’s simple to create and manage processes that are structured to optimize productivity, accountability, and efficiency. By streamlining communication and ensuring that everyone in the team is aware of their roles and responsibilities, and have a clear map of them, managers are able to remove the confusion that leads to deadlines and projects being missed.