Automating a business process

Scope an automation by planning with the end state in mind and involving your stakeholders

Module Overview

💡 Throughout the rest of this course, we will focus on how to automate a business process. Get a preview of what's coming up in the remaining lessons.

Video (2:46 Minutes)

This will be a step-by-step journey, starting simple and iterating on the process over time -- from an MVP of a workflow (with just 3 steps) to using a sub-workflow in a parent workflow for ultimate automation efficiency. Here's a snapshot of what you'll do in upcoming lessons:

Building a Basic Form and Workflow

Main Objective: Create a basic automation with three steps: adding or removing a user from a group using the Microsoft Graph integration.

Steps:

1. Build a request form that triggers the automation.

2. Connect the form to a workflow where the automation takes place.

3. Test the workflow to ensure it works correctly.

Jinja Essentials for Workflow Automation

Main Objective: Learn how to use Jinja, the templating engine in Rewst, to pass data through your workflows for specific results.

Steps:

1. Review the basics of Jinja syntax.

2. Apply Jinja in the Live Editor to manipulate data (and test your code).

Creating an Option Generator Workflow

Main Objective: Enhance your request form by creating a workflow that generates relevant options based on the user and action selected.

Bonus: In one of the modules for this lesson, you'll learn how to customize your own action (if a "pre-built" action in Rewst doesn't yet exist) by using API documentation.

Steps:

1. Build an option generator workflow.

2. Update the request form to connect to this workflow.

3. Test the updated form to ensure it displays the correct groups.

Managing Workflow Paths

Main Objective: Handle group updates that require Microsoft Exchange Online using Powershell commands.

Steps:

1. Identify which groups need to be updated through Exchange Online.

2. Integrate Powershell commands into your workflow.

Implementing Error-Handling in Rewst Workflows

Main Objective: Add techniques for error-handling to a workflow.

Steps:

1. Add "on failure" transitions to certain actions

2. Create data aliases to store feedback messages for the results of certain actions

3. Learn why/when to update "task transition criteria sensitivity" on an action

Optimizing Workflow Design

Main Objective: Combine everything you've learned to create an efficient automation that updates multiple groups and provides feedback.

Steps:

1. Update your request form to handle multiple groups.

2. Use a sub-workflow and "with items" to process each group for the user and action.

3. Set up an email notification to inform the requester of the automation results.

Support and Resources

As you progress through these lessons (at your own pace!), remember that each one is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and additional resources to deepen your understanding. Return to these materials at any time for a refresher.

If you encounter any challenges, we’re here to help! Register for live office hours for direct support, or drop your questions in the Rewst Discord #cluck-u channel to get assistance from professors and peers.

Action Items

Before moving on, ensure that your main organization and Microsoft Graph integrations are set up.

Once that's done, you’re ready to dive into creating your own form and workflow. This is where the real hands-on building begins!

Navigation

Go to the previous module:

3 key principles for every automation

Go to wrap up the lesson:

Next Steps