Working with document workflows > Overview of generic workflow > Swimlanes

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Overview of generic workflow

Swimlanes

Workflows are composed of swimlanes, representing the functional roles in a process. Each swimlane appears in the Designer canvas. When a workflow is created, real people must be assigned to a swimlane and the swimlane behavior set. Swimlanes are associated with SharePoint groups, and tasks are assigned to (placed within) each one. Swimlanes can be added, configured, and deleted in the Swimlane Collection Editor, and you can add as many as you need for your work environment.

Example workflow

Below are descriptions of the swimlanes used in the example workflow above. Every process requires Originator and Process Owner swimlanes which are created automatically and set as default participants in every workflow. Do not remove these swimlanes.

Name of Swimlane

Required or Custom

Description

Originator

Required

This is the person who initiates the workflow.

Manager Approval 1

Custom

This is an example of a customized swimlane that represents a manager approval step in the workflow.

Manager Approval 2

Custom

This is an example of a customized swimlane that represents a second level of manager approval in the workflow.

Accounting Team

Custom

This is an example of a customized swimlane that represents a team of people in the workflow.

Accounting Person

Custom

This is an example of a customized swimlane that represents a person taking the final action in the workflow.

Process Owner

Required

The person who has overall responsibility for the workflow.

Also in this section

ParticipantResolver property

Loops