Lessons tagged “workflow”
14 published lessons with this tag.
Also tagged “workflows” (6 lessons).
Ubiquitous capture tools
You need capture tools available in every context where you think — desk, commute, shower, conversation, bed. A gap in coverage is a gap in your thinking.
Status types track lifecycle
Objects often move through defined states — tracking these states enables workflow.
Agent sequencing
Some agents must run in a specific order — define the sequence explicitly.
A workflow is a repeatable sequence of steps
Defining your workflows turns inconsistent effort into reliable output.
Sequential versus parallel steps
Some steps must happen in order while others can happen simultaneously.
The minimum viable workflow
Start with the simplest version that works and add complexity only when needed.
Workflow bottlenecks
Identify the slowest step in each workflow — that step determines your throughput.
Workflow automation opportunities
Look for steps that can be handled by tools or systems rather than manual effort.
Workflow inputs and outputs
Define clearly what goes into each workflow and what comes out. Without precise input-output specification, you cannot chain workflows, automate steps, or diagnose failures.
Handoff points in workflows
Where one person or system passes work to another is where errors are most likely.
Workflow iteration
After each execution look for one thing to improve in the workflow.
Workflow composition
Complex workflows are built by combining simpler workflows. The output of one becomes the input of another. Composition is the mechanism that turns a library of small, proven workflows into an infrastructure that handles arbitrarily complex work.
Workflow sharing
Documenting workflows well enough to share them multiplies their value. A workflow that lives only in your head dies with your attention. A workflow shared becomes a reusable asset — for your team, your community, and your future self.
Workflow design is process engineering for your life
Treating your recurring activities as designable processes is a fundamental operations skill.