Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Getting Started:
OpenEdge Reference Architecture

Business Workflows

A Business Workflow is used to coordinate the activities between a series of Business Tasks. Each task is focused and typically requires only one user or process in order to occur. A single task, however, is usually only one piece of a larger business process that requires the actions of multiple resources (automated or human processes) in order to complete successfully.

A Business Workflow provides the “glue” that coordinates the activities between multiple business tasks. A Business Workflow is used to ensure that when one business task completes successfully, the next associated task can begin. How this is accomplished depends upon the business rules set forth by the workflow, and can include such things as application notifications, e-mail messages, or the automated start of the next task.