CNET Editors' review
Anyone who works understands workflow as an intuitive concept, but analyzing, modeling, and designing workflow processes is another thing. Workflow Designer is a freeware workflow application that does much more than map out processes and procedures: it serves as a centralized access point for the data and graphics tools you need to create everything from drawings of simple processes to elaborate mind maps and process diagrams. The optional cloud-based Workflow Connect system gives users access to a wide range of modules to expand their capabilities on demand without committing to unneeded tools.
Workflow Designer opened with an optional tool tip, the first of which explained the advantages of subscribing to Workflow Connect. We continued on to the main interface, which opened with a start page offering many choices. We could jump right in and create or open a Workflow or access a variety of Help and Setup options, Hints and Tips, Web sites, and other resources. The program's layout resembles a lot of graphics editors and word processors we've seen, with a top toolbar and a left-side palette of graphics tools, shapes, connectors, and other program-specific objects. We started with a new Workflow, which involved selecting the Standard Template, though we could create as many templates as we needed and add them to the selection tool or browse to any folder of templates, including imported data. The basic workflow diagram resembles a racetrack in a nine-point field. An optional, expandable right-side panel featured tabs displaying Workflow Details, Purpose and Scope, Revision History, and more, with a series of handy icons on the bottom. The program's Quick Draw tool made switching between tools, modes, and settings easy, with Step Details displayed on the right. We could also quickly access Tasks, Files, and a Jump feature from the right-side panel.
Workflow Designer is a capable tool that requires some familiarity not only with its features but also its concepts to get the most out of it. While anyone who has used Photoshop, CAD, or plotting tools will be familiar with Workflow Designer's basic operation and graphics tools, it's helpful to be familiar with process maps before you try to create one. For those who can make use of this powerful freeware, it's obviously highly recommended.
Publisher's Description
From Workflow Connect:
Key Features:
- Easy to use diagramming tools for workflow diagrams, process maps, procedures, mind maps and many more
- Powerful, complete and simultaneous procedural text and document integration
- Automatic reporting features that meet standards such as ISO9000
- Publish, share and collaborate with the Workflow Connect cloud subscription service
- Visually capture "the what" and "the how" of activities in the organisation
- Link all your interrelated process and procedure documents in the right sequence back to the workflow diagram
For managers today there is a need to visually capture the way work is conducted within the organisation, combine this with various levels of reference documentation such as policies, standards or specifications and communicate this information both internally and externally.
Going beyond diagramming software - such as SmartDraw and Visio - Workflow Designer from Workflow Connect, combines an easy to use international standard diagramming tool with documentation tools. A built in word processor and text importation and linking keeps the diagram and your procedural text always in synchronisation.
Diagrams
You can easily create workflow diagrams, process maps, procedures, mind maps or other visuals with Workflow Designer's diagramming tools. Visual tools let us understand and communicate complex business information quickly and easily.
Document integration
All reference documentation such as policies, standards or specifications can be linked in at appropriate places within the diagram either directly inserted, imported from most standard document file formats or by creating links to existing documents.
Share and collaborate
You can share both diagrams and documentation in a controlled and secure environment through the cloud with Workflow Connect. You can connect people to the workflow and share data and information via your Internet connection and web browser.
Reporting
Create reports in a number of standard document formats that includes: who does what, job sequence, work instruction, document and chart links, as well as approval and revision history.
Summary
With these features combined you have one of the most powerful tools for the visual capture and communication of organisational information and processes to share across the room or across the world.
What's new in this version: Version 4.02:
- Performers List dialog box now includes search
- Improved workflow files include date modified date information
- Enhanced plug-in support to improve step level plug-ins
- Report generation now uses the title, document or template file name as the default file name of the report
- Tree view selection includes a refresh folder feature
- Improved Performers Titles Database configuration in the Options Dialog
- Minor change to ... See all new features
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