Example of a Workflow

Example: A workflow dealing with upgrading software applications in a company. The new software requires powerful hardware. Therefore you need to upgrade some of your systems in order to meet the requirements.

1. First, the IT manager selects the systems on which the installation (upgrade) of the software is to be performed. He can do it either manually or according to a condition (e.g. new version of a CAD tool which is to be installed on all workstations used by mechanical engineers in the “Design” department - the given workstations can be selected by using a filter).

   Note: Orders purchasing the software have to be organized (by an independent workflow or a subworkflow).

2. The second step determines the minimal hardware requirements of the software package and divides the target systems into two groups. One of them contains the systems that are intended (and ready) for installation of the software, while the other one contains the systems on which the software is also to be installed, but their hardware configuration is for some reason insufficient and needs to be upgraded.

   The selection depends on the hardware administrator, who also carries out the necessary upgrades (e.g. adding of more memory)

   after which all the desired systems are ready for the planned software upgrade.

3. The software administrator now has the task of installing the software on all the target computers. In case of large number of installation, of course, this might take several days to be finished. He can track his progress by marking the systems which have been already upgraded. An Upgrade workflow guides him through the changes to be documented on each individual system. A "Close" operation indicates that it has finished the upgrade activities for the moment. The current state of progress is recorded and he can return to upgrading at a later point in time. When all systems have been upgraded, he can indicate this by activating a separate action Finished. This finishes the complete workflow and perhaps initiates some follow-on workflows.
4. The initial workflow can report back to the IT Manager that the upgrades have been completed successfully.