SharePoint Workflow is the process in which behavior is attached to SharePoint data. SharePoint version 3 supports the Windows Workflow Foundation, or WF for short, out-of-the-box.

Several pre-built workflows come with SharePoint. In addition users and developers can create custom workflows to tailor behavior to specific business process requirements.

In WSS3 the three-state workflow is the only out-of-the-box workflow. The three-state workflow is used to manage the state of an object for example from draft to approval to published state. The workflow also handles basic task delegation.

In Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, or MOSS, more workflows are included. These additional workflows include Approval, Collect feedback, Collect signatures, Translation Management, and Disposition Approval.

Business Process Management in SharePoint

Workflows is an important part of Business Process Management in SharePoint. Companies and organizations can create workflows to support business processes such as document management, content management, change management, knowledge management, process analysis, and business planning.

Integrating workflows with SharePoint can help to make SharePoint a complete business process management system. Combined with supporting technologies such as Performance Point for advanced business intelligence and Project Server for project management, SharePoint can be an important business process management tool.

Custom Workflow Development

SharePoint support custom workflows developed by third-party developers. For simple workflow tasks, users can author workflows using Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2007. For more complex workflows developers often turn to workflows in Visual Studio.

Commercial Workflows are also available from a number of companies.

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