Designing a workflow model: Where to start

Start simple and expand

'Workflow model design' — this surely sounds like an undertaking that can only be completed using a state-of-the-art software. Such a technical wording suggests a conundrum that requires sophisticated tools and in-depth knowledge of the field, often leaving the user paralyzed by the unknown. Needless to say, esoteric lingo and litany of acronyms created by experts do not help either. The vague and all-encompassing expression 'business processes' just adds to the confusion.

OWIS provides a powerful, yet simple workflow Designer tool that enables users to set up processes free of all unnecessary clutter

The truth is, users should not shy away from modeling their processes with a simple sketch on the back of an envelope. Just try to design the flow and leave remarks next to it, describing what it is and who does what. OWIS utilizes it’s content-process-user methodology. Figure out what elements make up the flow, how the flow runs and who runs what. This initial analysis will not be sufficient, of course. It won't even be implementable in most systems, at least not in such a way as to yield benefits. But what it will do is help you understand your workflows better and think well of them, once you have a system in place.

OWIS provides a powerful, yet simple workflow Designer tool that enables users to set up processes free of all unnecessary clutter.