workflow

American  

[wurk-floh] / ˈwɜrkˌfloʊ /

noun

1. the flow or amount of work to and from an office, department, or employee.

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Usage

What is a workflow? A workflow is most often a series of repeatable steps in completing a work project, such as creating a product (like a computer) or performing a service (like writing an article). For example, the steps in writing a news article might include:

1. Receive an assignment from your editor.
2. Research the topic.
3. Interview people involved.
4. Write an outline of the article.
5. Write the article.
6. Edit the article.
7. Hand in the article to your editor.

When a workflow involves more than one person, it will describe all the steps to be done as well as who will do them. It might also describe how long each step should take, where any physical objects should be moved to (as in manufacturing), and other details important to managing the workflow.Workflow is also the amount of work one or more workers or an entire organization has at one time, as in The machine shop’s workflow was so high that they hired temporary help.Example: The consultant was able to change the steps in our manufacturing workflow, and now we are sending out product orders on time.

Etymology

Origin of workflow

First recorded in 1945–50; work + flow

Example Sentences

Complex business systems require custom data, detailed workflows, and advanced security.

From Barron's

"At key steps in the process, our results show how Prima can improve workflows and streamline clinical care without abandoning accuracy."

From Science Daily

That said, Ryan believes investors will have to wait to see if adoption of new technologies into SoFi’s workflows will translate to earnings.

From MarketWatch

The introduction of patient-communication portals added another burden, creating a torrent of messages with “no workforce, workflow, or business model to sustain it,” and forcing doctors to work increasingly late hours.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, “it was the ability to diagnose a workflow, create a solution, and build a go-to-market around all of that,” he said.

From MarketWatch