Workflow automation is the use of technology, such as software, automations, or AI agents, to automatically execute recurring, manual process steps. This means employees need to spend less time on repetitive work and can focus on tasks with more added value. Read more about the technical standard behind structured.

Start by mapping out your current processes. Identify which steps are carried out manually and how often they recur. Then ensure that those processes are fully digitized, define triggers and actors, and subsequently choose the right tooling to build automations.

Workflow automation is most effective for processes that recur regularly, follow a fixed sequence of steps, and make use of digital data. Think of onboarding new employees, order processing, approval flows, temperature monitoring, and reporting.

Digitization means that information and process steps are digitally recorded and made available. Automation goes one step further: the system automatically executes tasks based on that digital data. Digitization is therefore a prerequisite for effective workflow automation.

There is no minimum organization size. Even small teams with recurring manual processes can immediately benefit from workflow automation. The return on investment is generally highest for processes that are carried out multiple times per week.