---
sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/build-workflows

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

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bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Getting started with process automation

# Getting started with process automation {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Learn how process automation applications can help you use the ServiceNow AI Platform® to transform your manual business processes into digitized, automated workflows.  
ServiceNow process automation applications help you digitize, visualize, and manage the cross-enterprise workflows for your business. Digitizing your business processes with process automation applications gives you these benefits:

* Management of process compliance
* Ownership of continual process improvement
* Collaboration across divisions and departments
* Visibility into process outcomes
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## Process automation applications {#getting-started-process-automation__section_d2r_lvg_tlb}

The ServiceNow process automation applications that you can use to digitize your business processes into automated workflows on the ServiceNow AI Platform include:

[Flows](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/rdjXjcHvTmif13bwuZtdtg "Workflow Studio is the default ServiceNow AI Platform process automation builder used to create flows. Workflow Studio replaces the Workflow Editor.")
:   Flows enables process owners to automate approvals, tasks, notifications, and record operations without having to code.

[Playbooks](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/T0IArZ3K2wz4joo2p4fF5A "Playbook enable process owners to author cross-enterprise workflows and create a single, unified process. Build the underlying processes for playbooks that Playbook Experience agents and fulfillers use.")
:   Playbook enable process owners to author cross-enterprise workflows and create a single, unified process. Build the underlying processes for playbooks that Playbook Experience agents and fulfillers use.

## Roles involved in process automation {#getting-started-process-automation__section_cng_x5g_tlb}

Depending on the process automation application that you use, you may need to coordinate with other teams or individuals to ensure that your automated processes run smoothly. One possible way in which you could organize the roles for process automation applications is:

* A developer uses Workflow Studio to work on flows, actions, and activity definitions to automate individual pieces of a business process.
* A playbook owner uses Playbooks to organize the pieces of the business process into a digitized, cross-enterprise workflow.
* A Playbook Experience administrator configures the appropriate views of the business process for the right system users in playbooks.
* A Playbook Experience agent, the end user in this case, works on and manages the individual tasks of the business process in playbooks on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

{#getting-started-process-automation__ul_ysv_jwg_tlb} Figure 1. User roles

Many different user roles are involved in creating effective digitized, automated processes on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

## Learn more about process automation {#getting-started-process-automation__section_gpb_rvg_tlb}

To find out more about how you can use Workflow Studio and Playbooks to digitize your business processes, try checking out these resources:

* [Flow Designer fundamentals course](https://nowlearning.service-now.com/lxp?id=overview&sys_id=af2b04171b6f80905c28997fbd4bcb05&type=course)
* [Exploring flows](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/T7a3fbA__W0AFqe1fCEYZg "Flows automate a repeatable multi-step process. When the flow trigger conditions are met, the flow runs a sequence of reusable actions and flow logic to complete the process.")
* [Building your first playbook](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/z2dBjO8zwZqyKe3fg9XTDA "Learn the basics of designing an automated process for your organization. Get an overview of how Workflow Studio Playbooks work in the ServiceNow AI Platform.")
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