workflow
WURK-floh
/ˈwɜːrkfloʊ/
The sequence of industrial, administrative, or other processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion.
Workflow focuses on the 'flow' of tasks between people or systems, often visualized as a diagram.
The story behind the word. The term 'workflow' was first used in the early 20th century in engineering and manufacturing. It was popularized by Henry Gantt (creator of the Gantt chart) to describe how materials moved through a factory.
Word relationships
- process: A process is a set of steps to achieve a result; a workflow is the specific way those steps move through a team.
- procedure: A procedure is a formal way of doing something; a workflow is the actual path the work takes.
- chaos: Chaos is a lack of order or sequence, the opposite of a structured workflow.
Commonly confused with
- workload: Workload is how much work you have; workflow is how that work moves.
Word family
- workflows (noun): Plural form of workflow.
Collocations
- optimize workflow
- workflow automation
- streamline workflow
- standard workflow
Example sentences
- "The new software allows us to automate our approval workflow, saving hours of manual entry." Office Productivity
- "Every photographer has a unique workflow for editing and archiving their images." Creative Arts
Memory hook
Imagine work 'flowing' like water through a series of pipes—if the pipes are clear, the workflow is good. Workflow is the way work flows.
When not to use
Do not use 'workflow' when you mean 'workload' (the amount of work).
Fun facts
- 'Workflow' is a major buzzword in the 'no-code' movement, where people use tools to automate tasks without programming.
- The first 'Workflow Management Coalition' was founded in 1993 to set standards for the industry.
Related words
Explore more words
supply chain, lead time, sequential, sequence, streamline, output
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