7 Most Important Features of a Workflow Management Software
As more organizations switches to remote work arrangement, systematically managing the workflow has become more important than ever. The coronavirus lockdown has forced businesses and organizations worldwide to take a technology-based approach to operations. When it comes to remote business operations, workflow management software solutions play a crucial role. They are also important tools for smoothly managing processes in a traditional work environment.
In this blog post, we will discuss the most important features of workflow software and how it can transform your business or organization. We will also highlight major trends around the use of software applications to manage workflows.
What is a Workflow Management System?
Workflow management systems are software-based platforms that enable organizations to smoothly execute workflows and processes. Every business and organization has a standard workflow that ensures its smooth operations. Software-enabled workflow management not just dramatically improves efficiency but also creates transparency. A workflow management solution, therefore, helps you to plan, implement, and manage an efficient workflow in your organization.
A well-developed workflow management software helps in many ways, including:
A workflow automation software helps employees and teams to easily automate repetitive tasks and thereby improve productivity.
The system provides an overview of and insights into various workflows associated with the organization.
Reminders and alerts let professionals know if they forget about tasks and meetings.
An efficient workflow management software smoothly streamlines even complex operations and management processes.
Key Features of a Workflow Management Software
A workflow management system is supposed to have some common features that define its usability. Be it ensuring efficient operations management or providing insights, these features are key to the system’s performance. Here’s a list of the most important features.
1. Managing multiple workflows from one platform
No business or organization has a single workflow. So, it’s a must for workflow management solutions to have capabilities for managing multiple workflows. Workflow management software should also exhibit great flexibility. Business owners and managers should be able to change processes and adjust workflows without any hassle.
2. User-friendly and easy configuration
The people using workflow solutions may not be very much tech-savvy in every case. Hence the software solution should have a user-friend interface and smooth functionality. Ease of use should be a top priority while designing a workflow management software.
3. Cloud environment for safety and accessibility
An advanced workflow management system has supposed to have both on-premise and cloud-based options. Most organizations today prefer the cloud over on-premise. Cloud-based solutions offer several advantages. They provide increased security and better accessibility. Cloud-based solutions also significantly reduce the overall cost of operations in comparison to on-premise solutions.
4. Access Control & Data Security
Your workflows may contain sensitive information that should only be accessible to certain teams in the organization. Hence, it’s important to have different categories of access and control over information flow. For instance, some information may be accessible to senior management while other employees have restricted access.
5. Integration with existing software
For some organizations integrating a workflow solution with an existing software infrastructure easier. For them, it’s more convenient than separately deploying a new software tool. Many businesses already have solutions like online ERP software solutions. In such cases, the best way is to in integrating workflow management software to the existing software application. It saves both money and effort.
6. Notifications & Reminders
In a large organizational setting, individuals could get overwhelmed with events and tasks at times. This may lead to forgetting important tasks or missing crucial meetings. That’s where reminders and notifications come in a workflow management system. These features help individuals and teams to keep track of everything related to tasks and workflow management.
7. Insights & Reports
As work environments become more competitive, a data-driven approach is gaining popularity across industries. An advanced workflow management software not just streamlines your workflows but also provides insights into them. The workflow management system should provide you with useful insights. You should be able to use these insights and reports to improve workflows or even resolve underlying issues.
Conclusion
Deploying a workflow management software is a critical decision in terms of operational efficiency and growth. Most organizations have reported dramatic change following the implementation of customized workflow software. The features discussed in this blog play a remarkable role in transforming an organization’s day-to-day operations and management. From having a user-friendly design to offering insights, workflow management solutions are a must-have for the long-term growth of a business.