Workflows in Archie

The introduction of a workflow component in Archie is the third and final phase of the current development of the IMS

Workflows in Archie

The main purposes of the workflow system in Archie are

  1. to help CRGs keep track of where each review is in the editorial process; and
  2. to inform people involved in the preparation and editorial processing of reviews when they need to take action.

Once most of a CRG’s reviews have been incorporated into the workflow system, staff at the editorial base should also be able to use the system to

  1. plan and prioritize work more effectively across multiple reviews; and
  2. identify and analyze trends in the Group’s processes (e.g., by identifying recurring slow or problem points in the review process).

Finally, once most CRGs are using the workflow system to track most reviews, it will be possible for the system to

  1. generate various reports for Collaboration-wide monitoring purposes.
During 2008 the workflows will be piloted by a number of pilot CRGs and the system will be rolled out to all CRGs during 2009.

Update February 2009:

By 9 January 2009, a total of 336 workflows had been initiated as part of Stage 1 of the pilot. The RGCs involved in the pilot were asked to prioritise three items that they would like the system to be able to do or do better. Their responses to this direct request, in addition to the feedback they submitted during the pilot, were discussed at a meeting of the IMS Developers and the IMS Support team on 11-13 December 2008. During this meeting it was decided to progress to Stage 2 of the workflow pilot once a number of agreed improvements had been made to the system... [read more]

See also the full list of status updates.

Workflows Working Group of the Editorial Management Advisory Group (EMAG)

A working group of EMAG convened the first time in September 2006 to start working on workflow definitions that reflect best practice in the editorial process. Minutes capturing relevant discussions about workflow issues and progress on workflows are available from both the full EMAG as well as Workflow Working Group meetings.

Time schedule

  • October-December 2008: Stage 1 of the pilot

    8 Pilot CRGs

  • January 2009 - …: Stage 2 of the pilot

    More groups can join (11 additional pilot groups currently on our list). Not all groups will need to join in January. If you are interested in joining, contact Monica Kjeldstrøm.

Videos

A note on the user interface presented in the videos below: the final version will be much nicer to work with! So far, the focus has been on developing and integrating workflows that reflect the pratices of Cochrane groups. Later development will focus on providing a much better interface.

Workflow definitions

The Workflows Working Group is currently in a process of signing off on the first version of workflow definitions (see below). These will be tested from September 2008 onwards.

Background papers

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