Flows is Elementum’s visual workflow automation builder that allows you to design, automate, and manage business processes through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

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Overview

The Flow system provides a comprehensive visual canvas for creating workflows that can span multiple stages, incorporate various logic components, and track automation progress. Think of it as a comprehensive process builder that combines the visual clarity of flowcharts with the automation capabilities of modern workflow engines.

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Visual Canvas

The main workspace features:
  • Interactive drag-and-drop interface for building workflows
  • Zoom controls with fit-to-screen functionality
  • Stage-based progression with numbered workflow phases
  • Real-time automation tracking showing percentage completion per stage
  • Collapsible sidebar with component library and tools

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Stage Management

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Stage Structure

Flows are organized into sequential stages that represent different phases of your process:
  1. Initiate - The preparatory work before the workflow begins
  2. Backlog - Items queued for processing
  3. Requirements - Specification and planning phase
  4. Design - Creation and development phase
  5. Architecture Review - Validation and approval phase
  6. Refinement - Optimization and improvement phase
  7. Engineering - Implementation and delivery phase

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Stage Tracking

Each stage displays:
  • Action count (e.g., “0 Actions”) showing the number of steps
  • Automation percentage (e.g., “0% Automated”) indicating workflow completion
  • Stage labels for easy identification and navigation

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Component Library

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Shapes

The shapes panel provides fundamental building blocks:
  • Rectangle/Square: Standard process steps and actions
  • Diamond: Decision points, conditional logic, and branching

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Logic Components

Automations (Lightning bolt icon)
  • Automated action steps that execute without user intervention
  • Perfect for repetitive tasks and system integrations
User Input (Person icon)
  • Manual intervention points requiring human decision-making
  • Ideal for approvals, reviews, and custom input
Calculation (Calculator icon)
  • Computed values, formulas, and mathematical operations
  • Supports complex business logic and data processing
Relationships (Connection nodes icon)
  • Connection points between different entities and objects
  • Manages data relationships and dependencies
Data Mining (Database icon)
  • Data extraction, processing, and analysis steps
  • Handles large datasets and reporting functions

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Flow Elements

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Connections and Flow

  • Directional arrows showing the sequence and direction of process flow
  • Multiple connection points allowing for complex branching logic
  • Visual flow indicators making it easy to trace process paths

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Action Management

  • Action descriptions providing clear step-by-step instructions
  • Object attachments linking specific data objects to workflow steps
  • Status indicators showing current state and progress

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Workflow Examples

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Feature Tracking Workflow

A typical feature development workflow might include:
  1. Update Record → Initial data capture
  2. Send Email → Notification to stakeholders
  3. Notify Watchers → Alert relevant team members
  4. Create ENGR BETA record → Generate development tasks
  5. Logic and Object processing → Handle business rules

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Automation Patterns

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Best Practices

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Design Principles

  • Start simple - Begin with basic linear flows before adding complexity
  • Use clear naming - Give descriptive names to each step and stage
  • Plan for automation - Identify which steps can be automated over time
  • Test thoroughly - Validate workflows with sample data before deployment

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Performance Optimization

  • Minimize manual steps - Automate wherever possible to improve efficiency
  • Use parallel processing - Run independent tasks simultaneously
  • Implement error handling - Plan for failure scenarios and recovery paths
  • Monitor automation rates - Track and improve automation percentages over time

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Integration Capabilities

Flows integrates seamlessly with other Elementum features:
  • Tables - Process data from tables and update records
  • Forms - Trigger workflows from form submissions
  • Calculations - Use calculated fields in workflow logic
  • Relationships - Leverage entity relationships in process flow
  • Agents - Incorporate AI agents for intelligent automation

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Getting Started

  1. Access the Flow builder from your app dashboard
  2. Select a template or start with a blank canvas
  3. Drag components from the sidebar to build your workflow
  4. Connect elements using directional arrows
  5. Configure each step with specific actions and conditions
  6. Test your workflow before deploying to production
  7. Monitor automation progress and optimize over time