In the previous blog post we introduced you to using Visio as part of your SharePoint workflow strategy.  Next we are going to show it in action.

Even today Visio can play an important role in designing and laying out your various business processes.  I am sure many organizations use Visio just to draw out visually what they want their processes to look like etc.  Visio even has regular templates for Basic Flow charts, Workflow Diagrams and even BMN diagrams.

Unfortunately this was the extent to which the business could go, a diagram with no reuse.  In 2008 we came out with Visio integration that allowed an organization to take any diagram they had and “K2 enable” it. Thus adding a level of functionality to the Visio diagram.  Other vendors have seen the need to take the tooling Visio has and put it in the hands of a business user to allow them to participate in the processes design process.  Enter in SharePoint and Office 2010.

You can now take a Special Visio stencil and move it through different tooling to add additional functionality.

Lets try it

Hopefully this starts to give you some good information on using Visio and SharePoint designer together.  Next we will finish off the process, then deploy and do some cool stuff with it in Visual Studio 2010

Have you used Visio for SharePoint workflow?  Can you see your organization taking advantage of it?  Let me know.  Would love to hear your thoughts.