What is workflow automation and why is it important?

Every organization or company has work procedures that employees must follow. These tasks can be overwhelming at times, especially when you keep repeating them.

And while organizations now use digital solutions like Excel and PM software to manage repetitive tasks, their workflows are still inefficient. However, workflow automation tools can help with this as they simplify tedious tasks and lead to efficient results.

But what are workflow automation tools? Are they similar to project management software? What do they even help you with? Let’s talk about the basics of workflow automation, how it can help your business processes, and why you should be using it.

What is the definition of workflow automation?

Workflow automation is the process of applying automation techniques to repetitive tasks to complete them faster. Once you define rules, automation software can schedule tasks, send requested emails, launch marketing campaigns, and more without anyone having to oversee task flows.

In addition, workflow automation ensures the seamless movement of data, information, documents and tasks between departments or the entire organization. It helps create a workflow that increases performance efficiency, saves time, reduces errors and increases productivity.

Let’s look at an example to understand how customer service workflow automation works.

Workflow automation is an extremely useful asset in customer service. In addition to conducting regular client surveys, it can create instant responses to common questions, handle tickets, and resolve cases by sending emails or creating subtasks.

Example of customer service workflow automation

Some automated customer service features include:

Sending frequent emails about new events. Frequents customer surveys and registrations.

Categorizing queries and attaching resolved or unresolved labels to them.

Workflow automation will take care of tedious tasks and help customer service representatives focus on creating more value for their company.

Why do you need workflow automation?

Help with workflow automation

Workflow automation tools help organizations automate repetitive tasks that don’t require a lot of intelligent decision-making and oversight.

Zapier reports show how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are using workflow automation tools to streamline business processes, with 66% of SMBs saying these tools are now essential to running their business.

But why are they necessary for business management? Workflow automation tools are important because they help them:

Solve boring tasks

Reduce human errors

Increase efficiency

Increase consistency

Get faster results

Improve productivity.