Salesforce plans to retire Process Builder and Workflow Rules sometime. Salesforce rapidly enhanced Flow’s functionality and encouraged all its customers to move from Process Builder and Workflow Rules. Even the advice on which automation tool to use has an updated message written by Salesforce Help or Trailhead; the message reads as:
“For all behind-the-scenes automation needs, we recommend using Flow Builder.” Trailhead: Choose the Right Automation Tool
Process Builder & Workflow Rules Retirement Timeline
During Dreamforce ‘21, Patrick Stokes, the Product Manager responsible for retiring Process Builder and Workflow Rules, explained that an end-of-life council would govern a formal end-of-life roadmap.
Do not panic! The retirement process is challenging; it is planned in different phases over the years, not months. It is a gradual process that helps all its customers accommodate the new tools and get accustomed to updated features.
According to Salesforce’s latest update, a roadmap projecting the gradual process of the retirement cycle can be seen in the illustration below:
Salesforce plans to retire Process Builder and Workflow Rules sometime. Salesforce rapidly enhanced Flow’s functionality and encouraged all its customers to move from Process Builder and Workflow Rules. Even the advice on which automation tool to use has an updated message written by Salesforce Help or Trailhead; the message reads as:
“For all behind-the-scenes automation needs, we recommend using Flow Builder.” Trailhead: Choose the Right Automation Tool
Process Builder & Workflow Rules Retirement Timeline
During Dreamforce ‘21, Patrick Stokes, the Product Manager responsible for retiring Process Builder and Workflow Rules, explained that an end-of-life council would govern a formal end-of-life roadmap.
Do not panic! The retirement process is challenging; it is planned in different phases over the years, not months. It is a gradual process that helps all its customers accommodate the new tools and get accustomed to updated features.
According to Salesforce’s latest update, a roadmap projecting the gradual process of the retirement cycle can be seen in the illustration below:
Are the Workflow Rules and Process Builder going to retire now? How much time do I have?
There are stages, as shown in the retirement timeline above.
Stage 1: you cannot create any newer Workflow Rules according to Salesforce Winter ’23 Oct 2022
Stage 2: you cannot create any new Process Builders according to Salesforce Spring ’23 Feb 2023
Stage 3: The end of Workflow Rules & Process Builder support is estimated to be in 2025.
Stage 1 & 2: You can still work with your existing Workflow Rules and process Builders; you must create new ones.
Stage 3: Salesforce does not provide any support further
Stage 4: In the Future, Salesforce will stop Workflow Rules and process Builder automation.
*The dates may be subject to change, but the retirement intent remains!
The future of the Salesforce automation tool is Flow, and all the resources are bound to this new generation tool. All the gaps between Flow and the older automation tools are closed, so Flow is your first choice for Salesforce Automation.
Hey! Do not panic! Salesforce has provided tools that help convert Workflow Rules and Process Builder to Flow. Train your team on Flow features or contact Prudent, for it is a dedicated Salesforce Consulting Partner with certified expertise.
Why do you think that Salesforce retires Process Builder and Workflow Rules?
Automating repetitive, time-consuming manual tasks helps free up time to perform activities that help improve customer retention and generate new sales, enhancing returns on investment (ROI). Salesforce provides multiple tools for automating various activities as it is always at the forefront of understanding customer requirements.
With the help of the No code version, it has upgraded each tool with the latest versions that meet the ever-changing business demands in automating various tasks, giving way to solving complex processes with a few clicks.
Many challenges are encountered while working with multiple tools:
- Tracking automation and its health is challenging, across multiple products.
- With the ever-changing business requirements in automation, it is not very easy when they require more sophisticated tools.
- As it is time-consuming to maintain the process builder, workflow, and Flow builder, Salesforce works on developing and enhancing futureproofing only one tool, i.e., The Flow builder.
Why Do You Need Flow?
The significant challenges of Process Builder and Workflow Rules are addressed with the Flow.
Flow offers:
- Improved overall performance
- Better functionality to enhance high-volume automation
- Dynamic error handling and debugging capability
- Repeatable and reusable functionality
- Add-on features such as Screen Flows
What Next to Get There?
If you are using Process Builder and Workflow Rules currently, these are the steps to follow to move to Flow:
- Upskill your team to use Flow or outsource your business needs
- Always start it with a small function
- Build on greater success
Are you ready to reap the benefits of exceptional Salesforce Flow?
- Learn how to use Flow with a learning curve
- Get proficient with the Flow terminology with an A-Z glossary
- Create a Flow Strategy by following best practices
- Get a birds-eye view on the Flow Trigger Explorer
- Develop thinking like a Programmatic Developer
- Have an excellent grip on testing and debugging
- Understand the Flow Migration Tool
- Build any new automation request in Flow
- Any update required to the existing automation – rebuild in Flow
What are the best practices?
- Make a list of all the Workflow Rules and Process Builder automations.
- Differentiate the relevant automation, and that can be retired.
- Select the smaller ones from the list that operate on the same object and combine them into one Flow.
- Do not just convert all existing automation to Flow; analyze if you can utilize some new features of Flow to enhance performance.
- Train your team on Flow and make them update all the new features.
Transition helps clear technical debts on the business front
- Remove all the automation that is no longer required
- Make sure the existing automation fulfills your business logic
- Make use of new Flow features to improve automation
Prudent has a pool of Salesforce-certified and trained consultants and administrators who can help you by accessing your current Workflow Rules and Process Builder and converting them into Flows. For further assistance in identifying and analyzing your automation needs, get in touch with us.