Although most organisations operate a series of processes – authorising timesheets, signing off documents, agreeing reports and running projects – these processes have traditionally been addressed by human rather than computerised activity. Over the past few years this has changed.

SharePoint 2007 now incorporates its own workflow functionality. You can create a workflow on the fly defining a process, then add members of staff or groups to it. The system even allows for holidays by redirecting processes to available workers. The flow is not set in stone and can be adapted as things change using simple drag and drop interfaces. Requesting completion of a form, which needs to be checked by one member of staff, signed off by another and actioned by a third is simple. The system can even send email reminders to staff involved in the process.

For more complex workflows we use K2.net who is a leader in this field. We have worked with them on a number of major projects where workflow is a key requirement. See the Financial Services case study and K2’s white papers.