May 1, 2024
Updated June 25, 2025
23 minute read
An Introduction to Workflow Management
Workflow management is the practice of organizing, tracking, and optimizing a series of tasks to achieve a specific outcome as smoothly and effectively as possible. Think of it as creating a roadmap for work: defining the steps, who does what, and in what order, to get from a starting point to a desired goal. This structured approach ensures that daily activities within an organization are designed, executed, and refined to meet objectives more efficiently.
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Find a path to becoming a Workflow Management. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 30 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Workflow Management.
Comprehensive reference guide to business process management (BPM), including workflow management. It valuable resource for experienced practitioners and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of Business Process Management, which is foundational to understanding workflow management. It covers core concepts, modeling languages (like BPMN), analysis techniques, and process redesign. It is suitable for beginners and also serves as a valuable reference for those seeking to deepen their understanding. This book is commonly used as a textbook in university programs.
A classic business novel that introduces the Theory of Constraints, a powerful methodology for identifying and managing bottlenecks in any process. While set in a manufacturing plant, its lessons on optimizing flow and improving system performance are universally applicable to workflow management in any domain. It's a foundational text for understanding process improvement.
This business novel, while focused on IT and DevOps, provides an excellent and accessible introduction to the principles of optimizing workflows and identifying bottlenecks. It illustrates concepts like the Three Ways (principles of flow, feedback, and continuous learning) in a compelling story format, making it a highly recommended starting point for understanding workflow challenges in a practical context.
This seminal book defines the principles of Lean, a philosophy focused on eliminating waste and maximizing customer value. Lean principles are highly relevant to workflow management and process improvement. provides a deep understanding of the underlying concepts that drive efficient workflows.
Introduces the concept of adaptive case management (ACM), which more flexible and adaptive approach to workflow management. It valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in the latest trends in workflow management.
Offers practical advice and real-world examples for successfully implementing BPM initiatives. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, making it highly relevant for students and professionals who need to apply workflow management principles in organizational settings. It is more valuable as a practical guide and reference than a theoretical text.
Outlines the 14 principles behind Toyota's renowned production system, which prime example of effective workflow management and continuous improvement. It provides valuable insights into the cultural and managerial aspects necessary for successful workflow optimization.
Building on the concepts introduced in 'The Phoenix Project,' this handbook provides a detailed guide to implementing DevOps practices. It focuses on creating high-performing technology value streams, which is directly applicable to optimizing workflows in IT and software development contexts. It's a valuable reference for professionals in these areas.
Foundational text for understanding the Kanban method, a popular framework for visualizing and managing workflow. It's particularly relevant given the mention of Kanban in the course list. It provides a deep dive into the principles and practices of Kanban for improving flow and responsiveness.
This guide focuses on the aspects of change management within BPM. It is particularly useful for managers and professionals responsible for leading or participating in process improvement initiatives. It provides a solid understanding of how to approach and manage change effectively when implementing new workflows or optimizing existing ones.
Connects BPM to overall business strategy, emphasizing how effective workflow management can drive execution, adaptability, and consistency. It's valuable for understanding the strategic importance of workflow optimization and how it aligns with organizational goals.
This practical workbook provides a step-by-step guide to Value Stream Mapping (VSM), a crucial tool for visualizing and analyzing workflows to identify waste. It's an essential resource for anyone looking to practically apply Lean principles to improve processes.
Expands on the concept of Value Stream Mapping, applying it beyond manufacturing to service and office environments. It emphasizes how VSM can be used to align leadership and drive organizational transformation, making it relevant for a broader audience interested in workflow improvement.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of BPM frameworks and methodologies, offering practical advice on how to apply them within an organization. It's a useful resource for gaining a solid understanding of the practical aspects of implementing workflow management.
This handbook focuses on Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a contemporary topic in workflow management aimed at automating repetitive tasks. It provides a practical guide to implementing RPA systems, offering insights into a key technology for workflow automation discussed in the course descriptions.
Given the mention of process modeling in the course context, this book detailed guide to the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) standard. It's a crucial reference for anyone involved in documenting and modeling workflows. While specific, it solidifies a key practical skill in workflow management.
This textbook is designed for upper-level business students and MBA candidates, covering the design, management, and improvement of business processes. It offers a structured approach to understanding workflow from an academic perspective and is suitable for those seeking a formal introduction to the topic.
Provides a German-language overview of workflow management, covering the basics of workflow modeling, enactment, and monitoring. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who are new to workflow management.
Offers a collection of tools and techniques for business process improvement. It's a practical resource for those involved in analyzing and redesigning workflows. It serves as a helpful reference for applying various methodologies in real-world scenarios.
Provides a comprehensive overview of business process management (BPM), including workflow management. It valuable resource for business analysts, process engineers, and IT professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of workflow management, covering the basics of workflow modeling, enactment, and monitoring. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who are new to workflow management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of workflow management, covering the basics of workflow modeling, enactment, and monitoring. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who are new to workflow management.
A popular book on personal productivity that provides a system for organizing tasks and managing workflow. While focused on individual productivity, its principles of capturing, clarifying, organizing, reflecting, and engaging can be scaled and adapted for managing workflows within teams and organizations.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/dkd5a1/workflow
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