ARTICLE SUMMARY
Learn how using a workflow software can be very helpful in planning and managing all of your business process. Try Pipefy: it’s easy, simple and powerful.
What is business process workflow software?
Business process workflow software is a tool that allows users to create and manage their workflows and processes. This type of software supports business process management (BPM) with a range of features and capabilities. For example:
- Process visualization: Mapping, modeling, or diagramming processes.
- Workflow management: Building and modifying workflows.
- Automation: Completing tasks and workflows with minimal human effort.
- Monitoring: Tracking KPIs, metrics, and generating reports.
- Task management: Organizing, assigning, and tracking tasks.
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Similar types of software
Business process workflow software is closely related to other types of software. While there are some distinctions and differences between each of these tools, there is also some overlap in their features and functions. Similar technologies include:
- Workflow management software
- Process management software
- Workflow software
- Business process management (BPM) software
- Business process automation (BPA) software
What can business process workflow software do for my business?
Businesses use this type of software for a variety of reasons. At the highest level, workflow software helps teams visualize and organize their workflows and processes. By doing so, workflow software gives teams more visibility into how well their tasks and activities help the business achieve its goals.
Business process workflow software also improves the efficiency and consistency of workflows and processes. It helps teams identify bottlenecks, ensure smooth handoffs, and track the performance and output of each process.
Some business process workflow software includes additional features that enhance these capabilities. For example, some workflow software includes automation features that can reduce the amount of human effort required to complete a particular task or process. As a result, the process can be completed more quickly and with fewer errors.
Benefits of workflow software
In addition to these high-level benefits, workflow software also delivers a more concrete impact for businesses, which includes revenue, risk management, customer experience, and employee experience.
Revenue
Business process workflow software can help companies grow revenue by streamlining intake processes, increasing bandwidth and productivity, and reducing the amount of time it takes to onboard customers and get credit approvals.
Risk management
Workflow software can also reduce risk in the enterprise by helping teams avoid errors through automation and standardizing processes across teams and departments.
Customer experience
Consistent workflows and processes improve customer satisfaction and lead to better user experiences. This software speeds up processes for faster response times and helps teams avoid errors that can cause delays or undermine customer confidence.
Employee experience
Organizations that use business process workflow software to support their HR processes are able to build better employee experiences and improve employee engagement. Even when an HRIS is present, workflow automation software can be integrated into the existing stack to help automate and orchestrate processes that fall outside the HRIS core.
Improving business processes through workflow optimization
One challenge with workflows is that they need to evolve as business needs change. Implementing a workflow is not a set-it-and-forget-it fix because they do not maintain business continuity forever. At some point, practically all workflows and all types of business processes should be reviewed to make sure they remain efficient and effective. When they are no longer performing as needed, they need to be modified.
So how can you optimize your workflows? That’s where business process workflow software comes in handy. Its features and capabilities make it easier for teams to identify and implement opportunities for improvement. This is especially true for software that includes low-code automation capabilities.
Low-code automation allows business teams to optimize and automate their workflows quickly and easily. IT teams retain control and visibility to enforce security requirements, but low-code gives business teams an IT-sanctioned toolbox that reduces the demand for shadow IT.
10 best business process workflow software
Businesses can choose from several workflow software options. What’s important is to find software that provides the features, functions, and scalability that can support the business as it evolves. Here’s our list of some of the best software options.
Pipefy
Businesses looking for the best all-around solution should consider Pipefy’s business process automation software. Pipefy’s low-code functionality balances the business team’s need for agility with the IT team’s need for control and visibility. Users can easily visualize, build, scale, and automate processes, in any department or team. In addition, Pipefy is ideal for automating intake processes and request management.
In addition to ease of use, Pipefy is highly customizable and adaptable – two important features that deliver stack extensibility through integration. In other words, Pipefy helps teams get more from their existing apps by dissolving silos and automating the processes and workflows other systems can’t. Additional features include forms and portals, task automations, document creation, and robust reporting capabilities.
Screendragon
Screendragon describes itself as work management software for marketing with the ability to support workflow management for other teams as well. Features include smart work requests, automated workflows, resource management, budget management, and reporting analytics.
Process Maker
Process Maker offers users a solution that includes process modeling capabilities and enterprise scalability. Some of their most prominent use cases include banking and higher education, according to their website.
Wrike
Work management software that allows users to create custom workflows. Features include live editing, collaborative approvals and proofing, Gantt charts, reports, and workload management insights.
Kissflow
Kissflow is a low-code/no-code work platform that allows users to design custom apps and digitize processes with minimal coding. Features include automated workflows and forms, project and case boards, collaboration tools, analytics, and integrations.
Process Street
Process Street allows users to manage recurring checklists and procedures. Features include collaborative workflows, document creation, conditional logic, forms, and the ability to document team knowledge. Process Street can be used to manage approval processes and offers a wide range of compatible integrations.
Appian
The Appian platform allows users to build enterprise apps and workflows. It focuses on simplifying complex workflows and process mining. Features include low-code application development, intelligent document processing, decision rules, and AI.
Process Bliss
Process Bliss helps users manage workflows, tasks, and processes by centralizing processes and bringing visibility to many moving parts. Capabilities include a visual flowchart builder, task checklists, and templates.
Nintex
A process intelligence and automation platform that uses LC/NC functionality. Features include process mapping and management, workflow automation, document automation, e-signatures, process analytics, and RPA.
ProWorkflow
ProWorkflow is a project management platform that emphasizes remote collaboration and time management capabilities. Its capabilities include allowing users to assign staff, track time, and reschedule projects. Users can create and send quotes and invoices from their dashboard.
How to choose the best workflow management software
Finding the right business process workflow management software comes down to two questions: Who will be using the software? How will they use it?
Teams that need a workflow management tool that’s easy to use and fast to scale should consider low-code functionality. Low-code gives business users an IT-sanctioned set of tools that can be used to build, automate, and modify workflows and processes. Low-code software also makes it easier for teams to scale their processes and workflows.
If the need is for workflow software that can be used by multiple teams and departments, look for software with a wide range of integrations and a high degree of customization. It’s also important to find a solution that provides an orchestration layer between the components of the existing tech stack and other types of automation such as RPA.