Workflow Fundamentals

Overview

Workflow management in timveroOS provides a visual, low-code approach to automating decision logic. The system enables business users to design complex evaluation logic through a drag-and-drop interface while maintaining the flexibility to incorporate custom scripting when needed.

⚠️ Note: This documentation covers Workflow Engine workflows for automated decision-making, not business process flows. See Workflows vs Business Processes for clarification.

Critical Terminology Distinction

Workflow Engine Workflows (This Documentation)

• Definition: Automated decision logic created in the visual Workflow Designer

• Purpose: Evaluate data, make decisions, create warnings/alerts

• Examples: Credit scoring, income verification, risk assessment

• Configuration: Visual designer with tasks and logic components

Business Process Flows (Not Covered Here)

• Definition: The overall journey of participants/assets through origination

• Purpose: Define stages from application to funding

• Examples: Application → Underwriting → Approval → Documentation → Funding

• Configuration: SDK development using actions, events, and state machines

This documentation covers ONLY Workflow Engine workflows for automated decision-making.

Visual Workflow Designer

The workflow designer offers an intuitive interface for creating automated decision logic:

Core Components

The designer provides two main categories of components:

Tasks: Actions performed within the workflow

1. Expression - Execute calculations and logical operations

2. Load Datasource - Retrieve data from integrated sources or features from the Feature Store

3. Save to Profile - Store calculated values for downstream use

4. Save Alert Fact - Create automatic decline triggers

5. Save Warning Fact - Generate manual review requirements

6. Save Info Fact - Log information for audit purposes

Logic Functions: Control workflow execution

1. Switch - Create conditional branches based on criteria

2. Interrupt Workflow - Stop execution at specific points

Building Workflows

Basic Workflow Structure

Workflow Engine workflows are discrete evaluation processes that:

1. Execute at specific points in the business process

2. Retrieve and analyze data

3. Make automated decisions

4. Generate outcomes (approvals, declines, warnings)

Note: These workflows are evaluation tools, not the overall business process flow.

Data Source Integration

The Load Datasource task retrieves data from:

• Connected external data providers

• Features defined in the Feature Store

Example of retrieving credit bureau data:

Note: For creating reusable data transformations, see Feature Store.

Expression Configuration

Use expressions to implement business logic:

Conditional Logic

Implement branching logic using Switch components:

Decision Outcomes

Alert Facts (Automatic Decline)

Configure automatic decline triggers:

Alert facts:

• Stop workflow execution (optional)

• Record decline reason from configured catalog

• Update application status

• Trigger adverse action notifications

Warning Facts (Manual Review)

Create manual review requirements:

Warning facts include:

• Department assignment for review

• Form scheme for data collection

• Contextual information

Profile Updates

Save calculated values to participant/asset profiles:

Profile data is used for:

• Pricing calculations

• Document filling

• Product eligibility

• Reporting and analytics

Workflow Mapping

Process Assignment

Map workflows to specific processes and participants/assets:

Multi-Stage Processing

Configure workflows for different evaluation stages, for example:

• Soft Hit: Initial evaluation without external data

• Hard Hit: Comprehensive evaluation with bureau data

• Verification: Additional validation processes

• Final Review: Last-stage quality checks

Profile Generation

Workflows automatically build comprehensive participant/asset profiles:

Generated profiles contain:

• Credit assessment data

• Income calculations

• Risk indicators

• Custom business metrics

Automation Through Entity Checkers

Entity Checkers are SDK-based automation tools that complement Workflow Engine workflows:

Key Distinction:

• Workflow Engine: Visual, decision-focused workflows for evaluation

• Entity Checkers: Code-based, event-driven automation for system reactions

How They Work Together:

• Workflow Engine makes decisions (e.g., "approve loan")

• Entity Checkers react to changes (e.g., "when loan approved, generate documents")

What Entity Checkers Do:

• Monitor database changes in real-time

• Execute business logic when conditions are met

• Update related entities automatically

• Trigger additional processing

Common Use Cases:

• Start workflows when documents are complete

• Update statuses based on payment receipt

• Calculate derived values when data changes

• Send notifications for specific events

Entity Checkers are NOT configured in the Workflow Designer but work alongside it. SDK development is required for Entity Checker implementation.

Error Handling

Data Availability

Handle scenarios where data is unavailable:

• Configure fallback logic

• Create warning facts for manual intervention

• Log missing data for audit purposes

• Continue processing where possible

Form Integration

When automated data retrieval fails:

Best Practices

Workflow Design

• Start with simple, linear flows

• Add complexity incrementally

• Document logic within workflows

• Use meaningful component names

Performance Considerations

• Minimize external data calls

• Implement efficient branching logic

• Cache calculated values when possible

• Monitor execution times

Testing Approach

• Test with various participant profiles

• Include edge cases and exceptions

• Verify all branch paths

• Validate profile updates

Maintenance

• Version control workflow changes

• Document business rule updates

• Regular performance reviews

• Monitor error frequencies

Common Patterns

Credit Evaluation

1. Load credit bureau data

2. Calculate credit metrics

3. Apply business rules

4. Generate decision outcome

Income Verification

1. Retrieve banking data

2. Analyze transaction patterns

3. Calculate verified income

4. Update participant profile

Risk Assessment

1. Gather multiple data sources

2. Calculate risk scores

3. Apply risk thresholds

4. Route to appropriate outcome

Integration Points

Workflow Engine workflows integrate with various system components through the participants and assets they evaluate:

• Data Sources: External provider APIs for participant/asset data

• Feature Store: Pre-configured data transformations for workflow use

• Launchpad: Manual review queues for warnings

• Document System: Template generation based on participant/asset requirements

• Notification Engine: Status updates for participant/asset evaluation

• Pricing Module: Offer calculations using participant profiles

Note: Workflows are triggered by participant and asset types, which are determined by product configuration.

Next Steps

With workflow fundamentals understood, proceed to:

• Decision Automation - Configure automated decision logic

• Manual Review Process - Set up human review workflows

• Launchpad - Configure operational queues

For additional workflow configuration support, consult your implementation team or system documentation.