A workflow is a representation of a set of related, self-contained activities that represent specific business logic.  Activities are the building blocks of Workflow.  They can be used to represent business logic diagrammatically.  The Workflow Management Coalition (WFMC) defines Workflow as the “automation of a business process, in whole or part, during which documents, information or tasks are passed from one participant to another for action, according to a set of procedural rules.”  The Workflow Management Coalition is a non-profit international body for the development and promotion of workflow standards world wide.  What is a Workflow Management System (WFMS) then?  It is a system that, "defines, creates and manages the execution of workflows through the use of software, running on one or more workflow engines, which is able to interpret the process definition, interact with workflow participants and, where required, invoke the use of IT tools and applications."  It should be noted that all Workflow Automation Systems are process centric.  The benefits provided by Workflow automation of a Business Process are as under:

·         Reduced Cost

·         Improved quality, planning and service

·         Improved productivity

·         Business Process Control and Visibility

·         Business Activity Monitoring