Module 3: Triggers, Rules & Forms — The Building Blocks
What are the core building blocks of automation?
Triggers start work, rules decide what happens next, and forms capture the data that feeds later steps. Combine these three and you can automate most repetitive workflows — no code required.
This is Module 3 of the free Process Automation Course.
1. Triggers — what starts the work
- Schedule — launch recurring work automatically (monthly, weekly).
- Event — a prior step completes, or an external signal arrives via webhook.
- Manual — a person kicks it off, but everything after is automated.
2. Rules — what happens next
Conditional logic branches your process: When the plan is Enterprise, add the security-review step. Rules keep each run relevant — people only see the steps that apply.
3. Forms — clean, structured data
Replace "email me the info" with form fields. Structured data can drive rules, populate later steps, and feed reports. The AI data extractor can even map imported data into these fields automatically.
Putting it together
A trigger launches the process → forms capture inputs → rules branch the path → handoffs move it along. That's automation.
Continue the course
⬅️ Previous: Module 2 — Map a process for automation ➡️ Next: Module 4 — Automate handoffs
Frequently asked questions
What are the building blocks of process automation?
The three core building blocks are triggers (what starts a step or process), rules (conditional logic that decides what happens next), and forms (structured data capture that feeds later steps). Combine them and you can automate most repetitive workflows without code.