Workflow Engine

Term Definition
The workflow engine as it relates to workforce automation is a mechanism, which assists or performs the coordination of activities and business processes. Workflow engines may include some form of application tool execution capability, which activates applications, which are necessary to execute particular activities.

The sophistication of workflow engines may range from a simple system, which offers support of a single fixed tool, to methods for invoking a wider range of local and remote tools.

Workflow automation software automates business processes or workflows. During this process, documents, information and tasks are passed from one participant to another allowing action to be taken, according to a set of procedural rules. In a typical scenario, the software interprets the process description, controls the instantiation processes and sequencing of activities. Work processes are added to user work lists, and application tools are invoked as necessary. This process is accomplished through one or more workflow engines, which manage the actual execution of the various processes.

Workflow can be activity-based – workflows are made of activities to be completed in order to accomplish the result - or entity-based – the focus is more holistic, on a given document and needed states for completion.

Workflow automation requires careful preparation before implementation. Organizations must first examine the process(es) to be automated, and the way in which automation will shift the company culture. For example, if the customer order process will be automated, employees will need to be trained on what they will do with the new integrated business intelligence. The automation process should also consider continuous improvement and business process reengineering. When processes are automated, enabling organizations access to improved business intelligence, it sometimes highlights ways in which the process can be improved. Workflow automation can solve the needs of a specific department's problem or it can be implanted as an enterprise standard.

Area of Application
Business Performance Management
Business Process Management
Workflow Automation

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