workflow

American  

[wurk-floh] / ˈwɜrkˌfloʊ /

noun

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

---

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

Software developers can use Claude Code and other similar applications as part of their daily workflow to help with specific tasks.

From BBC

OpenAI said it was planning to build what it called a “unified AI superapp,” that can understand intentions, take action and operate across workflows.

From MarketWatch

Once the parameters are set, the tool offers a workflow for traders to edit, review and approve before the agent goes live.

From The Wall Street Journal

In other words, an AI agent orchestrating a multistep workflow can’t afford to wait seconds for data to move across racks.

From Barron's

He highlights the Compass platform for agents, which streamlines an agent’s workflow that would otherwise require several different tools.

From Barron's