Paul J. Galvin - Professional Workflow 4 in SharePoint 2010: Real World Business Workflow Solutions

CONTENTS

Professional Workflow in SharePoint 2010: Real World Business Workflow Solutions

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Copyright 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

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ISBN: 978-0-470-61788-5

ISBN: 978-1-118-21972-0 (ebk)

ISBN: 978-1-118-21971-3 (ebk)

ISBN: 978-1-118-21973-7 (ebk)

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

PAUL J. GALVIN is a four-time Microsoft SharePoint MVP. Paul is a prolific blogger and writes for a wide array of online periodicals and has contributed to two other SharePoint books. He regularly speaks at SharePoint conferences throughout the United States on a monthly basis. He is the Principle SharePoint Architect at BrightStarr, US.

UDAYAKUMAR ETHIRAJULU is a Microsoft SharePoint MVP, frequent blogger and public speaker at SharePoint events. Uday works at RSC Solutions as Vice President & Chief Architect in New York.

CREDITS

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR

Paul Reese

PROJECT EDITOR

Kelly Talbot

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Fabio Claudio Ferracchiati

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Kathleen Wisor

COPY EDITOR

San Dee Phillips

EDITORIAL MANAGER

Mary Beth Wakefield

FREELANCER EDITORIAL MANAGER

Rosemarie Graham

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

David Mayhew

MARKETING MANAGER

Ashley Zurcher

BUSINESS MANAGER

Amy Knies

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Tim Tate

VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE GROUP PUBLISHER

Richard Swadley

VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

Neil Edde

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Jim Minatel

PROJECT COORDINATOR, COVER

Katie Crocker

PROOFREADER

Sheilah Ledwidge, Word One

INDEXER

Robert Swanson

COVER DESIGNER

Mike Trent

COVER IMAGE

Remus Eserblom / iStockPhoto

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I COULD NEVER HAVE FINISHED this project without the sustained support of my loving wife, Samantha, and my son, Aidan. This project has been looming over the Galvin family household for a mighty long time. The Book has been used as a legitimate (and occasionally illegitimate) reason to cancel or defer various social and household obligations. These obligations inevitably fell upon Samantha and Aidans shoulders. Samantha and Aidan: Thank you.

Many others have contributed to this effort, and although I dont think I can remember all of them, let me try. Thank you Bob for inspiring me to really join in the SharePoint community. Thanks Mark for opening my eyes to the world of SharePoint end users (and for writing the Foreword to this book). Thank you my co-authors and contributing writers, starting with Uday (who was always there to help me talk things through), Peter Ward for his contributions, and Chris Beckett for a brilliant effort. I need to acknowledge the various potential writers who never quite found time to contribute. The universal support and enthusiasm you displayed helped me to keep working at it.

Lastly, I wish to acknowledge the members of the Heart Circle Sangha. Despite my prolonged absence, you always made me feel welcome when I did (occasionally) show up for service. I truly value that support.

FOREWORD

SharePoint workflow comes in many shapes and flavors, yet to the average SharePoint user it is a master magicians art learned through a formidable journey. Why is it that one of the most important aspects of SharePoint is also one of the hardest to comprehend and learn? SharePoint default workflows, SharePoint Designer workflows, custom-made workflows using Visual Studio, Visio exporting to SharePoint Designer, third-party tools including BPM suites... the choices for creating workflows are confusing and complex. How is one to choose a solution for solving real business problems?

Research confirms it takes 10,000 hours of concentrated practice to internalize, truly understand, and become a master of your chosen topic. With the speed of change in the technology field and the complexity of the solutions, there is no longer time to become conversant in every aspect of the field. There is no longer an apprentice program where you can learn your craft under the watchful eye of a master craftsman while building your 10,000 hours of expertise.