Process PassPort Inc. provides "Industry Best Practice" workflow templates that transform existing departmental work processes into dynamic group participation. Electronic workflow improves productivity, ensures process standards are followed and increases capiticity.   Do you need an automated process to make sure the most appropriate process is followed ? Workflow management can automatically route product development tasks and information round the organization in a predetermined way. Provided that the predetermined way is the most appropriate way, the workflow management system will make sure that the most appropriate process is followed.   Do you need improved resource utilization and project co-ordination ? With the process clearly defined, and under control, workflow can select which people should receive tasks at a particular time. For example if there are three people capable of doing a four-day low-priority task and two of them are busy on higher priority tasks for the next week, while the third person will complete a medium-priority task tomorrow, the system can assign the four-day task to this person for the day after tomorrow. Do you need to get control of the product development process ? Once the process has been analyzed, and the most appropriate layout of tasks has been identified, the organization will, at last, have the opportunity to take control of the process, and make sure that things are done properly. Do you need improved project visibility and status information ? Workflow controls the flow of work in the project, so it can provide information at any time as to the status of individual tasks and the overall project. This will allow engineers to take better decisions. Do you need to provide an audit trail ? Workflow controls the flow of work in the project so it can easily provide information as to the tasks carried out on the project. This information could include the name of the person who carried out the task, when they started working on it, who they received it from, when they stopped working on it, etc.   Do you need an automated design environment ? By automatically controlling the flow of work, the workflow provides part of the necessary infrastructure for an automated environment. This could be the first step towards a very fast, inexpensive and effective automatic product development process. Do you need to reduce product development cycle time ? Workflow management will save time in many ways. Engineers will not sit around without anything to do while they wait for work to get to them. The system will make sure that all relevant information is sent to an individual when a task is assigned. As soon as one task is finished, the module will inform the person responsible for the next task that they can start work. Apparently small savings of this type will add up to give significant benefits. These time savings should translate into cost reduction, faster cycle times and improved productivity. More reasons you need automated workflow Clean up the product development process Reduce the cost of product development Reduce rework Provide the benefits of electronic information flow Reduce the volume of paper in circulation Make sure that information is available when needed Bring geographically distant engineers together Help reduce the number of face-to-face project meetings Ensure specific procedures are followed Help manage the engineering change process Automate uninteresting procedures Improve the reliability of engineering schedules Improve communication Make sure that things are done the right way Support re-engineering activities