Workflow

A framework to move content through a defined set or map of specific steps, activities, or tasks. 

The content can only be “in” one such state for a particular workflow at a time. When that state resolves, content will “move” to another state, and continue until the workflow ends.

Workflow can be either a tool — as in, a series of statuses within a content management system identifying who is currently responsible for a piece of content — or a process — as in, the rules around moving content between people within an organization.