These define the function of the people or programs involved in the workflow. These are the actions which are guided by the workflow. Tasks can be carried out by users or programs with a defined role in the workflow. A loan request is an example of a well-defined process, with few hidden surprises. Certain process-oriented workflows may have transactional properties.
Specific workflows are less directive and are used more to coordinate tasks between users.
Their structure is harder to master and may change over time. The emergence of workflow technology is very closely linked to the history of the electronic imaging industry and computer aided production management. Very early on, this industrial sector realized the advantages that could be gained from automating processes which were hitherto carried out manually and using paper documents. But despite the fact that these tools were able to process complex, heavy workflows, market penetration was hindered by their high price tag and complexity, along with the major disruption they caused to the organization of the companies that implemented them. When it came to meeting companies' needs in terms of workflow within e-business architectures, the constraints were simply too great.