Powerful Forms and Workflow
Automation Software
Manual data entry is inefficient, errors are more likely to go undetected, and it can all be a major waste on an organization's resources. That’s where a quality workflow automation platform comes in to help resolve these issues and make your work day easier. Whether you’re a seasoned expert on workflow automation or completely new to this concept, you will find the answers to your questions in this guide.
What Is Workflow Automation?
Workflow automation is the practice of listing a series of business tasks required to finish a certain process, then using a software system to automate all of the repetitive, manual parts—like sending emails, filling out forms, completing reimbursements, and more.
So what is a workflow used for? A workflow can be applied anywhere a business wants to streamline a set of tasks in order to save time and money. Many institutions use workflow automation for human resources, finance, and administrative work across campus.
So what is a workflow used for? A workflow can be applied anywhere a business wants to streamline a set of tasks in order to save time and money. Many institutions use workflow automation for human resources, finance, and administrative work across campus.
What Is the Difference Between Workflow and Process Flow?
Often, the terms “workflow” and “process flow” are used interchangeably, but in reality, the two are quite different. Understanding the subtleties of these terms will help you determine the best course of action for your institution.
While a workflow refers to what needs to be done to complete a specific task, a process flow refers to what needs to be done to reach a goal within the institution or department.
A task might be something very simple, like reviewing and approving submitted paperwork or tracking down documents. On the other hand, a goal has a broader objective, like training a new employee or revamping the recruiting experience. Reaching these goals requires identifying and accomplishing many individual tasks.
Workflow and process flow are certainly related, with workflow focusing on the tasks within a process flow.
How Is Workflow Automation Software Beneficial?
Workflow automation software offers a wealth of benefits, allowing institutions to reduce costs, minimize errors, and increase efficiency. When faculty and staff spend less time on repetitive, simple tasks, they have more time to get creative and think about high-level aspects of their work. In short, they can put their energy into what really matters: serving students and advancing academic research.Here’s how workflow automation can benefit each department in your institution.
Research
A recent study by the Society of Research Administrators found that 33% of research administration approvals are collected on paper. Fortunately, you can cut back on a significant portion of administrators’ workload, and frustrations, using workflow solutions to automate these processes. Automation helps you minimize redundancies, data entry errors, and time-consuming, desk-to-desk transportation.
I.T.
The IT department has one of the biggest opportunities to utilize workflow automation. The platform can be used to accelerate approvals, schedule and confirm software updates, manage and keep track of devices, and much more. This will give your IT team more time to enhance the institution’s digital experiences and spend less time putting out fires.
Human Resources
If your HR personnel spend their days manually entering employee information, managing expenses, and handling payroll, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to streamline processes and save time and money. A workflow automation platform can take many of these tasks off your employees’ plates, freeing their time for face-to-face interaction and high-level tasks.
Finance
Many tasks in the finance department require repetitive, manual work—which is ideal for workflow automation. Use an automation platform to minimize the time it takes to process travel requests, file reimbursements, get budget approvals, and the like.
Student Services
Your registrar’s office should be spending time doing what they’re inherently good at: improving curriculum, supporting recruiting and enrollment, and helping current students. Allow them to spend their time effectively by using a workflow automation platform to eliminate many simple tasks like tracking down proposals and manually seeking out curriculum approvals.
How Can Higher Education Institutions Benefit from a Workflow Automation Platform?
Workflow automation platforms take workflow automation to the next level. These platforms can also benefit every department within your higher education institution, from IT or research to the registrar’s office. Kuali Build offers a workflow automation platform that allows higher education institutions to create custom forms and workflows that improve process management from start to finish.
It only takes a few minutes to transform an existing process by building no-code forms and integrating campus systems—with zero coding required. Check out Kuali Build’s features to learn how the platform can launch your institution into the future.
How to Know If You Need Workflow Automation
Workflow automation software offers a wealth of benefits, allowing institutions to reduce costs, minimize errors, and increase efficiency. When faculty and staff spend less time on repetitive, simple tasks, they have more time to get creative and think about high-level aspects of their work. In short, they can put their energy into what really matters: serving students and advancing academic research.Here’s how workflow automation can benefit each department in your institution.
Is workflow automation right for you? Here are a few signs that it may be time to start searching for a workflow platform:
- You have many standardized, repetitive processes
- You have a lot of paper-based forms
- Many tasks get stuck in limbo, waiting for approval
- Departments suffer from miscommunication or repeated errors
- Some key tasks get overlooked
- Your employees lack accountability
- You’re frequently inquiring about the status of a task
- You have many standardized, repetitive processes
- You have a lot of paper-based forms
- Many tasks get stuck in limbo, waiting for approval
- Departments suffer from miscommunication or repeated errors
- Some key tasks get overlooked
- Your employees lack accountability
- You’re frequently inquiring about the status of a task
What to Look for in a Quality Workflow Automation Platform
Simple, User-Friendly Design
You’re looking for an automation platform to make everyday tasks easier, right? Ensure your platform is intuitive and easy to use. Otherwise, you may spend an excessive amount of time just trying to learn how to use the software. Opt for a no-code workflow solution that allows you to build using drag-and-drop features.
Easy Integration
Many workflow solutions don’t have the capability to integrate with other cloud-based systems, which can counteract your original goal of streamlining processes. For best results, look for platforms that are compatible with tools you’re already using.
Advanced Reporting
How can you truly improve your processes without knowing how your workflow automation solutions are performing? You’ll naturally want to make small adjustments over time, and advanced reporting will allow you to do so more purposefully and effectively. Seek a platform that includes extensive reporting and analytics tools to optimize your processes to the fullest.
Cloud-Based Solution
On-premise workflow automation platforms require more work to maintain in comparison to cloud-based versions. Higher quality platforms offer cloud hosting, giving you ease of access, better security, and increased ability to scale your processes.
Customization
No two institutions are alike, meaning customizable workflow solutions are essential to optimizing processes. The highest quality workflow automation platforms are complex enough to accommodate the nuanced business processes you need to streamline. Look for software that offers conditional steps, multiple branches, and other multi-faceted cases.
How Do You Create an Automated Workflow?
Creating an automated workflow is easier than you might imagine. No matter what department you’re designing a workflow for, there are some basic steps you’ll need to consider every time. The more you practice these steps, the more efficient you’ll become.
Follow these steps to creating an effective, automated workflow for any department.
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Additional Resources
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Get Started with Kuali Build
Ready to start focusing on what matters most within your higher education institution? Get started today by taking a Kuali Build product tour. Once you’ve seen Kuali Build up close, you’ll instantly notice our top priorities: delivering amazing customer experiences, exceeding expectations, and making it easier than ever to educate students and advance research.
We’re attuned to the unique needs of higher education institutions, and we’ve crafted our platform to reflect those needs. Our modular software integrates with ease into your existing systems. Start using Kuali Build to automate workflows for your financials, research, and curriculum management today!
