What it is.

To understand workflow analysis one must understand the idea of a system.

A system is anything that has interacting, interrelated or interdependent parts.

Workflow is the process, progress, or "flow" of work within a system and the rate at which that happens.

Workflow analysis refers to observing how this process takes place. The analysis also involves evaluating the process and improving it for efficiency and effectiveness.

In the case of software and web based applications, we look at how people engage in and complete a process -- a purchase, for example.

At Com1 there are many systems we can analyze when it comes to your web site. Here are some of the most common processes we follow:

• Planning your web site.
• Creating your web site.
• Redesigning your web site.
• Updating your web site.
• Using your web site.
• Buying a product.
• Searching for and sorting records.
• Adding, editing and deleting records.
• Moving paper-based data between people.
• Moving electronic data between people.
• Working with others who can help you do any of the above.

Why it's important

Workflow analysis is crucial to the design of any new system -- not just web-based ones. This is because one is transferring a process from one way of doing things to another -- or from one system to another

Without an adequate analysis of workflow:

• the application designer cannot understand the problem.
• the application designer cannot suggest a solution.
• the programmer will not know what should appear on the screen when the same problem may emerge in the new system.
• the new system may cause more problems and cost more than the old one.

With a thorough workflow analysis, we can implement protocols that do not duplicate efforts. This can mean:

• Data is entered into a system once, and is accessible to everyone who needs to use it, in the form they need it in.
• Everyone understands who is responsible for various aspects of the process.
• Appropriate checkpoints exist to ensure that the outcome is targeted, of high quality, and complete.