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

Gibbons said the workflow is demanding and requires careful technique and patience, yet the possible payoff is significant.

From Science Daily

“It should ultimately have ramifications beyond security and will likely impact core workflow, IT asset management, AI control tower, and other ServiceNow offerings.”

From Barron's

Davidson argued in a Thursday note that Adobe’s tag as an “AI-loser” would continue to weigh on shares until investors had a better idea of how AI tools impact creative workflows.

From Barron's

The updated method removes these obstacles, creating a more efficient workflow and making advanced gridshell form-finding feasible for a larger group of architects and designers.

From Science Daily

Salesforce is selling its customers on the promise of being able to automate large portions of their workflows, especially the tedious tasks.

From Barron's