---
title: "Using Workflows"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/CDMC/2192676962/Using%20Workflows"
format: markdown
---
## Content expiry workflow


## Quality management system workflow


# Workflow elements

A workflow codifies a business or compliance process into a workflow template that consists of the following workflow elements:

## States 

A workflow state represents the document's current status. It defines where the document is in its lifecycle (for example, draft, review, approved, etc).

## Transitions

A **transition** is an action that moves a document from one state to another (for example, submitting a draft for review, approving, or publishing a document).

## Content reviews

Content reviews (approvals) are key events in the content production lifecycle. Reviewers check the content and decide whether to approve or reject it. Based on this decision, the workflow moves the content to a new workflow state - a content review transition. 

## Triggers

Workflow triggers are used to add flexibility to your workflow. On a workflow event, a trigger can change the workflow state, send a custom email, or add a custom on-screen message notification for your users.

## Parameters

Workflow parameters can help manage your reviewers or expiry dates for your approved pages. 

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# Custom workflow

A custom workflow can be designed to automate document management tasks based on your organization's specific needs. Unlike predefined workflows, it offers flexibility in setting states, transitions, conditions, and actions.

![Comala custom workflow state diagram with multiple states](media://8e4bb60d-b84d-475f-a74f-dfe624c3bdb9)

# Next steps

[Basic approval workflow](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2193195328)

[Content expiry workflow](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2192776431)

[Quality management system workflow](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2192870029)

[Custom workflow](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2193129727)

[Workflow elements and concepts](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2193066207)

[Apply workflows](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CDMC/pages/2192870271)