Workflow modeling software

When models are used to evaluate future options and to understand complex systems in any domain, accounting for uncertainties is often a key factor for reliable and repeatable modeling. While conventional generic workflow tools can be powerful for executing tool chains, additional data management capabilities can be important: Firstly, support for creating and comparing scenarios—and secondly, support for managing not just data but also arbitrary data structures.

For scenario work, the capability to manage alternative values for data parameters, using them to build scenarios and comparing them systematically can improve the modeling process and the management of sensitivities in the input data. For complex workflows with several models that use partially the same data, data has to be converted into model specific formats and structures. This can be better facilitated if data includes structural information like relationships between entities and classes that categorize entities.

Spine Toolbox stores data in SQL with a graph-like structure that allows storing and editing not just data but also those relationships within the data.

A third starting point in Toolbox development was the ease of collaboration. Spine Toolbox has graphical interfaces for managing and editing data, editing the workflow and for importing and exporting tabulated data.

Any particular workflow can be a local project, but it can also be shared through a shared git-repository. Local workflows can also include shared elements, like databases or tools from git-repositories. This allows for flexible division of labor within modeling teams. Workflows or parts of workflow can be executed locally or using a remote server that has better computational capabilities.

Parallelization can also speed-up the modeling process and Toolbox supports this not just across tools but also across scenarios and sensitivity runs. While workflows and data can be edited by regular users, Spine Toolbox has additional features under the hood for development oriented users.

It's written in Python to allow for easy integration of Python based tools that are widespread in the research community. All data and data structures from Spine databases can be directly used when writing equations for optimization models. Spine Toolbox is fully open-source, and is also available for commercial utilization and linking with commercial models.

While the tool is recently published and continuously developing, it lacks many specific data processing capabilities present in the more mature tools. However, Spine Toolbox workflows can incorporate other data processing tools available in the open source community.

The developers of Spine Toolbox include experienced energy system modelers, who have built own or projects specific workflow management systems and used existing tools. They have first hand experience of what can go wrong in complex projects with many collaborators, wasting time on non-essential parts of the project.

As the resources to design and implement a workflow tool for betted data and scenario management, they set out to develop a tool that researchers, engineers and project managers could spend a few weeks deploying, and save it many times over in future years not having to spend time with imprecise data management.

Explore further. Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below please adhere to guidelines. Think about other tasks in a workflow that you can perform at the same time instead of waiting for one to finish. The goal of any workflow is to accomplish an objective.

In most common business cases, you probably need to insert business logic into the workflow, e. You may also want to allow users to send the workflow backwards to correct errors. A rules-driven workflow is a great fit for the majority of business workflows. Equipping your team with the right tools will improve productivity and reduce human errors.

Use a low-code workflow automation platform to manage and automate your workflows from a single location. They also make it easy to make the inevitable tweaks and modifications that will be required as people use your workflows. Employees waste time figuring things out on their own or even duplicating work that others have already done. Setting expectations is especially important as more employees work remotely. Make sure to define responsibilities and roles for each task.

Once again, if you automate your workflows, the platform itself defines roles, determines proper routing, and enforces responsibilities for each step. Even after mapping a workflow process , you should run a few tests to make sure that everything works before implementing it. Deploying a flawed workflow could create disaster. Run your workflow model through several tests preferably using a small team of trial users and get input from them.

Were they able to complete each step? Did they run into any issues? Use their feedback to make any final tweaks before officially deploying the workflow. Bear in mind that several iterations may be required before a workflow is suitable for production deployment. After you deploy a new workflow, regularly revisit it to make sure it still runs efficiently. Continue to track key metrics and collect data about how the workflow performs. Making even a small change like adding a new rule can go a long way towards improving workflow efficiency.

But be sure to document and communicate any changes you make to your team. Managing a handful of workflows is simple enough. But things start to get more complicated as you deploy new workflows across your organization. Workflow models are useful tools that provide a high-level view of your workflows. Using them can help streamline your business processes and improve overall efficiency.

It comes with a comprehensive set of capabilities to let you design, create, deploy and manage fully automated workflows to accelerate your business. Build an automated workflow from scratch with the drag-and-drop tools or get started with a template to kick things off even faster.

Try frevvo today with a free day trial. Ashish Deshpande has worked in the process automation space for over 20 years. Ashish has contributed to leading publications such as Forbes, business.

View All Posts. Skip to content. Start by putting together well-defined workflow models. RunaWFE comes with a web interface that can be easily integrated with regional databases. Activiti open source business automation software helps businesses solve enterprise level automation challenges in a distributed, highly-scalable and cost-effective manner. Activiti is the new generation of business automation platform which offers a set of cloud-native blocks, designed to run on distributed infrastructures.

Joget is an open-source web-based BPM software used by businesses to develop workflow and business process management applications. Joget is a rapid application development platform which comes with full-fledged agile development capabilities. Bonita BPM is an open source business process management software which helps businesses create a seamless and personalized user experience in enterprise grade applications. The software helps businesses stay connected to their data and make it accessible across the organisation, to create engaging end-to-end user experiences.

Bonita BPM is best used to manage diverse projects for companies with complex workflows. Adobe LiveCycle is an open source workflow software that helps process and capture data. In addition, it also helps users to manage the information with the help of simplistic forms.

One of its best features is that it can be used to customise communication with the help of its cloud-based services which helps users to access the information remotely, from any device. It also helps users to monitor and safekeep classified information and ensures that only the authorised parties can access the data. It has an interactive UI which enhances productivity and provides continual assistance in the different processes.

The software also provides a number of frameworks, and tools along with free tutorials available in the ARIS Community. Bizagi is a free and single user open source workflow management software which provides assistance in the creation, optimisation and publishing of the workflow architecture.

It helps in making users more efficient and keep a track of business processes in an organisation. Bizagi provides a convenient cloud-based platform integration, via its drag-and-drop tools. Bridging the gap between the business and technology, it provides a platform for process engagement between members. It is cloud-based and can be accessed from all popular devices and browsers. The best think is that it can be used by businesses of all the sizes and requirements.

Its state-of-the-art tools make it a convenient modelling solution and also helps in creating ease-to-use forms. This makes it easy to monitor and communicate with other members seamlessly. Orchestra is an open-source BPM software that helps in the management of long-term processes. As its name suggests, the software helps in orchestrating businesses processes for synchronisation. It enhances efficiency, agility and provides better control over processes.

Cubetto is one of the most efficient BPM software application which helps in charting out mind maps, business and project models and flowcharts, to name a few. The software has an interactive user interface and it also provides templates and formats to employ in modelling. One of its best features is that all the processes can be accessed, monitored and shared with teams seamlessly. It is open source and is apt for business process-related documentation and the merging of business process with IT.

It also lets users assimilate the sketched plans in their documents. Sydle BPM is a comprehensive open source workflow software that assists in the collaboration efficient planning of project or business models. It enables users to edit the processes and work together to create processes with the help of BPMN notation. Since it is cloud-based, it remains enables users to work for the documentation of different processes with the help of its online portal.

Visio is a one-stop BPM solution which simplifies and helps users to convey large or intricate information with the help of visual medium such as charts and diagrams, seamlessly. With the help of diagrams that are data-linked users can communicate important information to the other members in just a few clicks with the help of this business process modelling software.

Lucidchart is an intuitive BPM platform that provides tools to users and organisations for collaborative diagramming of projects and processes. One of its best aspects is that it is cost-effective and centres its features on maintaining quality.

Lucid provides multiple process management solutions that help in making collaborative decisions easier. A well-designed and cost-effective BPM software is necessary for businesses because it helps them manage the organisational performance. With the help of BPM tools, managers measure, monitor and execute different business processes. The software makes designing, analysing, implementation and operations of business processes easier.

A good business process management software also assists in the coordination of members in different projects. It helps in the augmentation of employee productivity. The solution helps in minimisation of manual tasks which helps the teams to do more work in less time.

By integrating a good BPM software for your business, you can ensure quick completion of tasks, and work in addressal and combating of challenges which boosts the overall growth of the business. After the process has been completely charted out, users need to test their workflows inside a virtual setting, by implementing different forecasts and assumptions to find out the net cost and period of the entire process.