Modeling User Workflows for Rich Internet Applications

"As Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) become more advanced, the tasks, problems, and processes they address become increasingly complex, making it more important than ever to accurately model user workflows. Early Internet applications were often narrowly focused in scope, and the steps were relatively simple and sequential, for example, purchasing items through simple e-commerce, reserving hotel rooms, or renting cars. But as productivity applications move toward a web-based distribution model, the tasks become more complicated.

In these newer, more complex applications, the steps are typically nonsequential; some examples of these types of applications include educational online training content and applications that track customer public utility usage and payment. To build an effective, efficient, and useful application, an application designer must have a complete understanding of these complex workflows; the tasks, information, and processes necessary to complete them; and the needs of the people using the RIA."

A good article by David Hogue, Macromedia ...