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.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
Stage Management
Stage Structure
Flows are organized into sequential stages that represent different phases of your process:- Initiate - The preparatory work before the workflow begins
- Backlog - Items queued for processing
- Requirements - Specification and planning phase
- Design - Creation and development phase
- Architecture Review - Validation and approval phase
- Refinement - Optimization and improvement phase
- Engineering - Implementation and delivery phase
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
Component Library
Shapes
The shapes panel provides fundamental building blocks:- Rectangle/Square: Standard process steps and actions
- Diamond: Decision points, conditional logic, and branching
Logic Components
Automations (Lightning bolt icon)- Automated action steps that execute without user intervention
- Perfect for repetitive tasks and system integrations
- Manual intervention points requiring human decision-making
- Ideal for approvals, reviews, and custom input
- Computed values, formulas, and mathematical operations
- Supports complex business logic and data processing
- Connection points between different entities and objects
- Manages data relationships and dependencies
- Data extraction, processing, and analysis steps
- Handles large datasets and reporting functions
Flow Elements
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
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
Workflow Examples
Feature Tracking Workflow
A typical feature development workflow might include:- Update Record → Initial data capture
- Send Email → Notification to stakeholders
- Notify Watchers → Alert relevant team members
- Create ENGR BETA record → Generate development tasks
- Logic and Object processing → Handle business rules
Automation Patterns
Best Practices
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
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
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
Getting Started
- Access the Flow builder from your app dashboard
- Select a template or start with a blank canvas
- Drag components from the sidebar to build your workflow
- Connect elements using directional arrows
- Configure each step with specific actions and conditions
- Test your workflow before deploying to production
- Monitor automation progress and optimize over time