---
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 :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Types of flows and when to use them

# Types of flows and when to use them {#ariaid-title1}

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

A decision matrix and basic definitions
help you
determine what type of flows to create.

## Types of flows {#when-to-use-flow-types__id_wwl_vdf_ntb}

Flow

:   A flow consists of a trigger and one or more actions.

Subflow

:   A subflow consists of properties, one or more inputs, one or more outputs, a sequence of actions, and the data collected or created.

Contrary to the name, Dynamic Flow is a type of flow logic, not a type of flow.

## When to use different flows {#when-to-use-flow-types__id_u4z_vdf_ntb}

{#when-to-use-flow-types__flow-or-subflow-matrix__entry__2}

| If... | Then create... |
|-|-|
| You need a constant input to initiate a set of actions | A flow |
| You need a variable input to initiate a set of actions | A subflow |
| You want to start a flow by calling it from another flow or script | A subflow |
| You want to reuse a set actions in other flows | A subflow |
| You want to configure different types of inputs for each call | A subflow |
| You want to specify the inputs available to a subflow when it starts | A subflow |
| You want to specify the outputs available to a parent flow after a subflow ends | A subflow |
| You have a large flow with 25 or more actions and want to improve its performance and readability | Subflows |
| There are interrelated outputs or some action must be taken when all are available | Parallel subflows |
| There are not interrelated outputs or some action must be taken when all are available | Multiple flows triggered by a single event |
| You want to correct certain errors in your record data automatically | A subflow |
| You want to avoid the limit of 10 items in the error-handling-process | A subflow |
| You want to use subflow outputs to trigger automation in other flows | A subflow |
[Table 1. When to use different flows]

{#when-to-use-flow-types__flow-or-subflow-matrix}