Natural Language Workflow

A Natural Language Workflow is a workflow specification that can define workflow processes through natural language descriptions rather than formal workflow notations.

• AKA: NL-Based Workflow, Descriptive Workflow, Prose-Based Workflow, Human-Readable Workflow.
• Context:
  • It can typically express Workflow Logic through natural language workflow instructions and natural language workflow narratives.
  • It can typically describe Workflow Steps using natural language workflow action descriptions and natural language workflow transition rules.
  • It can typically specify Workflow Conditions via natural language workflow decision points and natural language workflow branching logic.
  • It can typically define Workflow Roles through natural language workflow participant descriptions and natural language workflow responsibility.
  • It can typically communicate Workflow Intent using natural language workflow goal statements and natural language workflow outcome expectations.
  • ...
  • It can often enable Workflow Understanding by non-technical stakeholders through natural language workflow accessibility.
  • It can often support Workflow Iteration via natural language workflow refinements and natural language workflow clarifications.
  • It can often facilitate Workflow Documentation through natural language workflow explanations and natural language workflow rationales.
  • It can often provide Workflow Flexibility via natural language workflow interpretations and natural language workflow adaptations.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Natural Language Workflow to being a Complex Natural Language Workflow, depending on its natural language workflow process complexity.
  • It can range from being an Informal Natural Language Workflow to being a Structured Natural Language Workflow, depending on its natural language workflow formalization level.
  • It can range from being a High-Level Natural Language Workflow to being a Detailed Natural Language Workflow, depending on its natural language workflow specification depth.
  • It can range from being a Static Natural Language Workflow to being an Adaptive Natural Language Workflow, depending on its natural language workflow modification capability.
  • It can range from being a Human-Interpreted Natural Language Workflow to being an AI-Interpreted Natural Language Workflow, depending on its natural language workflow execution mechanism.
  • ...
  • It can be processed by LLM-Based Systems for natural language workflow automation.
  • It can integrate with Workflow Orchestration Frameworks through natural language workflow translation.
  • It can support AI Agent Workflows via natural language workflow instruction interpretation.
  • It can enable No-Code Development Platforms through natural language workflow visual generation.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Business Natural Language Workflows, such as:
    • Customer Onboarding Natural Language Workflow, describing "First, collect customer information, then verify identity, finally create account and send welcome email."
    • Expense Approval Natural Language Workflow, stating "Employee submits expense, manager reviews, if over $1000 director approves, then finance processes payment."
    • Hiring Process Natural Language Workflow, outlining "Post job, screen resumes, conduct phone interview, schedule on-site, make decision, send offer."
  • AI Agent Natural Language Workflows, such as:
    • Code Review Natural Language Workflow, instructing "Analyze the code for bugs, check style compliance, suggest improvements, then summarize findings."
    • Research Natural Language Workflow, describing "Search for relevant papers, extract key findings, synthesize information, generate report with citations."
    • Content Creation Natural Language Workflow, stating "Brainstorm topics, create outline, write draft, edit for clarity, format for publication."
  • Development Natural Language Workflows, such as:
    • Feature Development Natural Language Workflow, outlining "Understand requirements, design solution, implement code, write tests, deploy to staging."
    • Bug Fix Natural Language Workflow, describing "Reproduce issue, identify root cause, develop fix, test solution, deploy patch."
    • Documentation Natural Language Workflow, stating "Identify gaps, gather information, write content, review with team, publish updates."
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • BPMN Workflow, which uses formal notations rather than natural language descriptions.
  • Code-Based Workflow, which defines workflow logic through programming languages.
  • Flowchart Diagram, which represents workflows through visual symbols rather than text descriptions.
  • State Machine Definition, which uses formal state transitions rather than natural language narratives.
  • Mathematical Formula, which expresses logic through symbolic notations rather than prose descriptions.
• See: Workflow Specification, Natural Language Processing, LLM-Based Workflow Automation, AI Agent Workflow, Workflow Orchestration Framework, Business Process Description, No-Code Development, Natural Language Interface.

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