Workflow modeling widely types businesses, including health care organizations, visually summarize steps complex processes systems. When constructing a workflow model, important ensure model accurately reflects actual steps a process.
Workflow diagrams: Improving the workflow diagram
"Workflow modeling is basically the process of simplifying reality" (Malhotra, Jordan, & Patel 2005: 1). While the creation of a workflow diagram can never perfectly mirror reality, through this simplicity it is hoped that the tasks delineated can be eased. With a bare-bones presentation, "workflow, role players, devices, protocols and communications" are better understood and problems which can occur in the chain of causal links between these actors are identified and streamlined via a diagram.
Workflow modeling is based upon a systems approach to rectifying organizational problems, versus a patch approach where only the obviously wrong component of the system is addressed while the rest are left intact. While the patch approach might seem to be cheaper and easier, often the 'wrong part' was generated not in isolation but as a result of overall faulty system performance. Critical to an effective workflow are "understanding how the setting in question operates and how the users, devices and IT systems interrelate to each other while operating under the organizations policies. It also involves researching the nature of errors, starting from the cognitive mechanisms operating in the user's...
The model assumes that errors may be made in terms of sending supplies to the facilities. Then the entire order must be sent back and repackaged. This is inefficient and causes needless delays. Instead, fail-safe mechanisms and procedures must be instituted to ensure that there is little likelihood of incorrect orders being sent in the first place. The fact that such a mechanism has been created implies that such mistaken orders have been frequent in the past. However, rather than attempting to rectify the mistaken orders before they take place, instead the workflow plan simply creates fail-safe mechanisms after the fact, causing delays.
Confusion is also reflected in an inaccurate graphic on the workflow diagram itself. After the block reading 'check shipment' there are arrows pointing to 'cross-check shipment' and 'check supplies.' In fact, every order involves cross-checking the shipment to see if it was accurately sent. If it is not correct, then there should be an alternate arrow after 'cross-check shipment' to indicate 'send order back' and an arrow for a correct order indicating 'a final cross-check' and a 'stock shelves.' This is not clear from the current diagram -- instead there is only a mysterious…
