Workflow means "the automation of business process" rather than "the flow of work among participants." An information system used to realize workflow is called workflow system or workflow software.

An automation is done based on pre-defined rules defined by Process Definition. In other words, workflow engine interprets the process definitions and exchanges information with each participant in charge of a task. (Workflow engine is sometimes called BPM engine.)

• Software to systematically control business process: Workflow Engine
• A participant in charge of a task: Participant (Humans or information systems)
• A task assigned to a participant: Work Item (It is called "task" in BPMN.)
• A list of tasks of each participant: Work List (Work Item List)
• Data used for control: Workflow Control Data
• Data managed in an entire process: Process Data
• Flow control among information systems: System Workflow (It is called "Integration-Centric BPM.")
• Flow control among human participants: Human Workflow (It is called "Human-Centric BPM.")

In addition, "Terminology & Glossary" published by WfMC aims to unify the terminologies in workflow area.