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Workflow Taxonomy

Task: E2:S03:T01 – Analyze workflow types and create workflow taxonomy
Status: IN PROGRESS
Created: 2025-12-03
Story: Story 3 - Additional Workflows & Examples

Overview​

This document defines a taxonomy of workflow types that can be implemented using the agent-driven workflow execution pattern. The taxonomy categorizes workflows by purpose, complexity, and common use cases.

Workflow Categories​

1. Code Quality Workflows​

Purpose: Maintain and improve code quality

Examples:

  • Refactor Workflow: Systematic code refactoring with validation
  • Code Review Workflow: Automated code review process
  • Linting Workflow: Code style and quality checks
  • Documentation Workflow: Code documentation generation and updates

Common Steps:

  1. Analyze current state
  2. Plan changes
  3. Execute refactoring/documentation
  4. Validate changes
  5. Update documentation

2. Migration Workflows​

Purpose: Migrate code, data, or infrastructure

Examples:

  • Database Migration Workflow: Database schema migrations
  • Dependency Migration Workflow: Upgrading dependencies
  • Framework Migration Workflow: Migrating between frameworks
  • Infrastructure Migration Workflow: Cloud or infrastructure changes

Common Steps:

  1. Analyze source and target states
  2. Plan migration strategy
  3. Execute migration steps
  4. Validate migration
  5. Rollback plan (if needed)

3. Testing Workflows​

Purpose: Execute and manage testing processes

Examples:

  • Test Suite Workflow: Run and manage test suites
  • Integration Test Workflow: Integration testing process
  • Performance Test Workflow: Performance testing
  • Security Test Workflow: Security testing

Common Steps:

  1. Analyze test requirements
  2. Prepare test environment
  3. Execute tests
  4. Validate results
  5. Report findings

4. Deployment Workflows​

Purpose: Deploy applications and services

Examples:

  • Application Deployment Workflow: Deploy application to production
  • Infrastructure Deployment Workflow: Deploy infrastructure changes
  • Rollback Workflow: Rollback deployments
  • Blue-Green Deployment Workflow: Blue-green deployment pattern

Common Steps:

  1. Analyze deployment requirements
  2. Prepare deployment environment
  3. Execute deployment
  4. Validate deployment
  5. Monitor and verify

5. Maintenance Workflows​

Purpose: Regular maintenance tasks

Examples:

  • Dependency Update Workflow: Update project dependencies
  • Security Patch Workflow: Apply security patches
  • Cleanup Workflow: Clean up unused code/resources
  • Archive Workflow: Archive old code/data

Common Steps:

  1. Analyze maintenance needs
  2. Plan maintenance tasks
  3. Execute maintenance
  4. Validate results
  5. Document changes

Workflow Pattern Analysis​

Common Pattern Elements​

All workflows following the agent-driven execution pattern share:

  1. ANALYZE Phase:

    • Understand current state
    • Identify requirements
    • Assess constraints

  2. DETERMINE Phase:

    • Decide on approach
    • Plan steps
    • Identify dependencies

  3. EXECUTE Phase:

    • Perform actions
    • Make changes
    • Update state

  4. VALIDATE Phase:

    • Verify results
    • Check outcomes
    • Validate changes

  5. PROCEED Phase:

    • Document results
    • Move to next step
    • Complete workflow

Workflow Complexity Levels​

Simple Workflows (3-5 steps)​

Characteristics:

  • Single purpose
  • Linear execution
  • Minimal dependencies
  • Quick execution

Examples:

  • Linting Workflow
  • Documentation Generation Workflow
  • Simple Test Workflow

Medium Workflows (6-10 steps)​

Characteristics:

  • Multiple phases
  • Some parallel execution
  • Moderate dependencies
  • Medium execution time

Examples:

  • Refactor Workflow
  • Migration Workflow
  • Integration Test Workflow

Complex Workflows (11+ steps)​

Characteristics:

  • Multiple phases
  • Complex dependencies
  • Parallel and sequential steps
  • Long execution time

Examples:

  • Release Workflow (13 steps)
  • Full Deployment Workflow
  • Complete Migration Workflow

Use Case Analysis​

Use Case 1: Code Refactoring​

Scenario: Refactor a module to improve structure and maintainability

Workflow Type: Code Quality - Refactor Workflow

Steps:

  1. Analyze current code structure
  2. Plan refactoring approach
  3. Create refactoring branch
  4. Execute refactoring
  5. Run tests
  6. Update documentation
  7. Create pull request
  8. Review and merge

Use Case 2: Dependency Upgrade​

Scenario: Upgrade a major dependency version

Workflow Type: Migration - Dependency Migration Workflow

Steps:

  1. Analyze current dependency
  2. Review breaking changes
  3. Plan upgrade strategy
  4. Update dependency
  5. Fix breaking changes
  6. Run test suite
  7. Update documentation
  8. Deploy changes

Use Case 3: Test Suite Execution​

Scenario: Run comprehensive test suite before release

Workflow Type: Testing - Test Suite Workflow

Steps:

  1. Analyze test requirements
  2. Prepare test environment
  3. Run unit tests
  4. Run integration tests
  5. Run e2e tests
  6. Validate results
  7. Generate test report
  8. Document results

Workflow Selection Criteria​

When to Use Each Workflow Type​

Code Quality Workflows:

  • Improving code structure
  • Maintaining code standards
  • Updating documentation

Migration Workflows:

  • Moving between versions
  • Changing frameworks
  • Upgrading infrastructure

Testing Workflows:

  • Validating changes
  • Ensuring quality
  • Regression testing

Deployment Workflows:

  • Releasing to production
  • Infrastructure changes
  • Service updates

Maintenance Workflows:

  • Regular updates
  • Security patches
  • Cleanup tasks

Workflow Template Structure​

Standard Workflow Template​

name: [Workflow Name]
version: 1.0.0
type: [workflow_type]
description: [Description]

config:
  # Workflow-level configuration

steps:
  - id: step-1
    name: [Step Name]
    type: [step_type]
    handler: [handler_function]
    required: true
    dependencies: []
    config:
      # Step-specific configuration

parameters:
  - name: [parameter_name]
    type: [parameter_type]
    required: true
    description: [Description]

Integration with Agent-Driven Execution​

All workflows in this taxonomy follow the agent-driven execution pattern:

  1. Agent analyzes each step before executing
  2. Agent determines appropriate actions
  3. Agent executes actions intelligently
  4. Agent validates results
  5. Agent documents and proceeds

This ensures workflows adapt to project context and handle edge cases intelligently.

Next Steps​

Based on this taxonomy, the following workflow examples will be created:

  1. Refactor Workflow (Code Quality)
  2. Migration Workflow (Migration)
  3. Testing Workflow (Testing)

Each will include:

  • Complete YAML definition
  • Agent execution guide
  • Examples and use cases
  • Customization guidance

References​

  • Agent-Driven Execution: packages/frameworks/workflow mgt/docs/documentation/Developer_Docs/vwmp/agent-driven-workflow-execution.md
  • Release Workflow: packages/frameworks/workflow mgt/docs/documentation/Developer_Docs/vwmp/release-workflow-agent-execution.md
  • Workflow YAML: packages/frameworks/workflow mgt/workflows/release-workflow.yaml

This taxonomy serves as the foundation for creating additional workflow examples.