Skip to main content
Version: v2 ⚡

Workflows

Workflows are automated processes or sets of instructions that accomplish a task. In OpenFn configuration, a Workflow consists of a Trigger, Steps, and Paths that define automation logic. Read on to learn how to configure Workflows.

Create Workflows​

To create a new Workflow in your Project:

  1. Go to the Workflows page.
  2. Click the Create new workflow button.
  3. Give your Workflow a descriptive Name (e.g., Register patients, Refer cases, Monthly payroll).
  4. Choose your Trigger
  5. Edit your first Step
  6. Modify the Path Condition, if needed, to define when the Workflow should proceed to the next Step.
  7. Configure more Steps as needed

Check out the video overview below to learn how to create a Workflow.

Merging branches and Skipping Steps​

The workflow builder allows branch merging and skipping steps. To merge two or more steps into one step or to skip some steps:

  1. Hover on the step you want to merge or initiate a skip
  2. You will see a link 🔗 icon beside the new step icon.
  3. Click on the link icon and drag to create a path
  4. Drop the new path on the desired step in your workflow

Merging

note

Looping workflows are not supported so you have to connect paths to downstream steps. When using branching and skipping paths, you can use edge conditions like with any other step.

Run Workflows​

To run a Workflow, you can either activate the Trigger (e.g., send a request to the Webhook Event Trigger's URL, or wait for the cron timer to be activated), or run your workflow manually. Check out the video below for how to run your workflow manually.

Turn off or disable Workflows​

To "turn off" or disable a Workflow:

  1. Open the Workflow
  2. Click on the Trigger
  3. Select the Disable this trigger checkbox
  4. Select Save to save your changes and turn off / disable your workflow

disable-wf

Limit Concurrency​

Workflow concurrency is the number pf runs will be allowed for a given workflow at the same time. In OpenFn, project administrators and editors are able to limit the maximum number of the runs that can be executed at the same time for a workflow. You might do this to ensure "one at a time" serial processing or to keep a fast OpenFn workflow from overwhelming the API rate limit of some other connected system.

info

Note that this setting allows administrators to limit the maximum concurrency for a workflow, but the global maximum (i.e., the highest concurrency that can be reached if a workflow is not limited by a project administrator) will be controlled by your OpenFn instance superuser. This global maximum will be determined by the computing power and throughput made available to your installation.

What happens when concurrency limit is set on a workflow?​

When concurrency limit is configured for a workflow, the maximum number of runs that are executed concurrently will not exceed the number that has been set for the workflow. For example:

  • Concurrency not set (or = 0): There's no artificial limit applied, and this workflow will only be limited by the total computing power available across your OpenFn installation.
  • Concurrency = 1: Runs for this workflow will only take place 1-at-a-time. Each run must finish before the next run can start.
  • Concurrency = 2: No more than 2 runs for this workflow can be executed at a time and other runs will have stay enqueued. If runs "A", "B", and "C" are all enqueued, "A" and "B" will start executing. Once "A" finishes, "C" will start. (No more than 2-at-a-time.)

Setting Concurrency for a workflow​

Concurrency limits can be set via the workflow settings modal on the workflow canvas.

  1. Click on the settings icon beside the save button on your workflow to open the workflow settings
  2. In the modal, enter the maximum concurrency limit
  3. Click save.

Configuring Concurrency