Vireo 4 introduces the concept of workflow hierarchies where settings at a higher, or parent, level can be inherited by related lower, or child, level workflows. This feature helps to enforce consistency and reduces the need to replicate data entry across workflows.
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If "Hierarchical Organization Management" is turned
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OFF, the workflows are considered flat.
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Multiple workflows can be added but each will need to be created and maintained separately.
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In the examples below the theses workflows are identical, and the doctoral workflows are identical, but the flat organization requires
Creating Non-hierarchical workflow (flat organization)
Changes to make
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Creating a hierarchical workflow
Changes to make
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The key to efficient hierarchical workflows is to first set up the fields in the parent level that will be identical across all workflows.
Every change made the parent level will automatically appear in the child level, unless the "Workflow Step is Overridable" is marked No, or "Overridable" is marked No on a the Field Profile at the a child level.
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Field profile of Middle Name at child level
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If "Hierarchical Organization Management" is turned ON changes to workflows made at higher or parent levels will be reflected in the lower or child level organizations, with some exceptions explained in the Override section.
Benefits of Hierarchies
Enabling Hierarchical Organization Management allows child organizations/workflows to inherit (or copy) the settings of parent levels. Replicating a parent record ensures consistency and makes it easier to create new workflows and edit existing ones. Settings which would apply to all levels of a hierarchy should be made a the highest applicable level, then only minimal customizations are needed to at the child levels.
If Hierarchical Organization Management is disabled, multiple workflows can still be created but they will be unrelated. Initial set up and all changes will be done individually and there will be no triptych.