Salesforce Flows are a powerful tool for automating business processes, but building effective Flows requires careful planning and consideration of several factors. In this blog, we’ll discuss key considerations for planning, scope, scalability, and performance to help you create efficient and effective Salesforce Flows.
First, Plan How the New Automation Will Work!
Before diving into building a new Flow, it’s crucial to plan out the logic. Using tools like Lucidchart, Miro, or other diagram creating tools to map out each Flow can save time and reduce errors. Detailed planning early on helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures that the final product meets the client’s needs.
Be Aware of Scope
Understanding and adhering to the scope of the project is critical. Staying focused on the agreed-upon deliverables is essential, even when other issues arise. While it might be tempting to address additional problems, maintaining a clear focus on the agreed-upon project roadmap ensures that the primary objectives are met on time and within budget. This approach helps manage expectations and keeps projects on track.
The scope is can however, be influenced by the type of Salesforce automation required. Sometimes, the necessary automation exceeds what Flows can handle, and we must resort to using Apex code. Recognizing these limitations early can save time and resources.
Be Mindful of Scalability
One common mistake when designing Salesforce automation is focusing solely on immediate needs without considering future growth. Always assume that the organization could experience rapid expansion, and design Flows to be scalable. For instance, using Subflows instead of a single large Flow can enhance scalability and maintainability.
When we identify areas with limited scalability, it’s important to note these and explore corrective options. Communicating these findings to the client and providing recommendations ensures they understand the potential limitations and future-proofing considerations of their Salesforce implementation.
Be Mindful of Performance
Efficiency is key to building effective Salesforce Flows. The simplest solution is often the best, avoiding unnecessary complexity that can lead to performance issues. Structuring Flows to minimize repetition and be economical with resources results in faster and more maintainable automation.
Thorough testing, especially in mature Salesforce orgs, is crucial to ensure new automation does not negatively impact performance. This step helps identify potential bottlenecks and optimize Flows for better performance.
Building effective Salesforce Flows requires careful planning and consideration of scope, scalability, and performance. By taking the time to map out the logic, adhering to the project scope, designing for scalability, and optimizing for performance, you can create robust automation that meets client needs and stands the test of time. Remember, thoughtful design and regular reviews are your best allies in delivering high-quality Salesforce solutions. Have some ideas for automations you’d like to take a look at with us? Let’s chat!
Let's chat!
