Course Outline
Module 1: An Introduction to PowerApps for Government
This module provides an introduction to Microsoft Flow, a tool designed to automate business processes. Historically, automating such processes often required the expertise of developers who understood both coding and the systems they were integrating. However, there has been a shift towards end-user design and management, allowing non-technical staff to improve their business solutions. Microsoft Flow simplifies workflow design for all users, enabling the creation of lightweight or critical business processes. This module will cover an overview of the product and its integration with Office 365 and third-party services.
Lessons
- What is Microsoft Flow?
- The Benefits of Automation for Government
- How to Access Microsoft Flow
Lab: Setup Your Tenant
- Setup Office 365 for Government
- Download Course Files
- Customize Your App Launcher
- Create Accounts for Colleagues
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand what Microsoft Flow is
- Identify the Benefits of Using Flow for Government Processes
- Access a Flow in Their Environment
Module 2: Getting Started with Flow for Government
This module guides students through building their first business process using Microsoft Flow. We will explore how to use templates to quickly start new workflows or create custom processes from scratch. The module includes a tour of the Flow editor, workflow management page, and home screen to help users navigate the product effectively. Students will learn to add, edit, and remove actions in their workflows to meet specific business needs. They will also publish and trigger the workflow to ensure it functions correctly. Finally, we will discuss how to manage Flows by turning them on or off and deleting them as needed.
Lessons
- Using Flow Templates for Government
- Navigating in Microsoft Flow for Government
- Editing a Flow for Government Needs
- Publishing and Triggering a Flow
- Turning Off or Deleting a Flow
Lab: Building Processes in Office 365 for Government
- Create a Team with a Channel for Collaboration
- Build an Absence Business Process
- Test the Absence Process
- Optional: Create a Feedback Form
- Optional: Set Up a Flow to Notify of Bad Ratings
- Optional: Test Your Form and Flow
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Use Flow Templates for Government Processes
- Navigate Microsoft Flow for Government
- Edit Flows for Specific Government Needs
- Publish and Trigger Flows in a Government Environment
- Manage Flows by Turning Them On or Off and Deleting Them
Module 3: Flow Logic for Government
In this module, we address the importance of decision-making in business processes. Delays in obtaining decisions or information can slow down workflows. By incorporating logic into a workflow, existing data from various sources can be used to guide the process more efficiently, reducing reliance on manual input. We will cover core logical constructs in Flow and demonstrate their practical application.
Lessons
- Adding Conditions to Flows
- Designing Switches for Flows
- Using Apply to Each Logic
- Configuring Do Until Logic
- Adding a Scope to Flows
Lab: Scheduling Documentation Reviews for Government
- Setup a Policy Library in SharePoint for Government
- Design a Policy Review Schedule
- Test the Policy Review Process
- Optional: Notify if a File Nears Review
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Add Conditions to Flows for Government Processes
- Design Switches in Flows for Government Needs
- Use Apply to Each Logic in Flows
- Configure Do Until Logic in Flows
- Add a Scope to Flows for Government
Module 4: Integration for Government
This module explores how Microsoft Flow can integrate with various productivity tools and services beyond Office 365. For example, marketing teams may use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, while sales teams might use Salesforce for customer management. Flow provides connectors for these popular services, allowing processes to extend beyond Office 365. Additionally, it supports connections to on-premises servers, enabling the integration of internal systems into workflows.
Lessons
- Standard and Premium Connectors for Government
- Connecting to Web Services for Government
- Using Flow with On-Premises Data for Government
Lab: Using Flow and SQL to Review Sales for Government
- Create a New Orders List in a Government Environment
- Design the Price Check Process
- Test the Price Check Process
- Optional: Update with Managers
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Use Standard and Premium Connectors for Government Processes
- Connect to Web Services in a Government Environment
- Integrate Flow with On-Premises Data for Government Needs
Module 5: The Mobile App for Government
The Microsoft Flow mobile app enhances the functionality of Flow by allowing users to manage and create workflows on their mobile devices. It supports building new Flows, managing existing ones, and handling approvals directly from a phone or tablet. Users can also receive push notifications and trigger Flows using customizable buttons within the app. This module will detail how to leverage these features in a government setting.
Lessons
- Downloading the Mobile App for Government
- Signing In and Managing Accounts in the Mobile App for Government
- Building and Managing Flows in the Mobile App for Government
- Creating Buttons in the Mobile App for Government
- Handling Feeds and Approvals in the Mobile App for Government
Lab: Optional: Using the Flow Mobile App for Government
- Setting Up the Flow Mobile App for Government
- Create a New Flow in the Mobile App for Government
- Using Flow Buttons in the Mobile App for Government
- Uninstall the Flow Mobile App
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Download and Install the Mobile App for Government
- Sign In to the Mobile App for Government
- Build and Manage Flows in the Mobile App for Government
- Create Buttons in the Mobile App for Government
- Handle Feeds and Approvals in the Mobile App for Government
Module 6: Administration and Maintenance for Government
The final module focuses on managing Microsoft Flow within an organization, particularly after it has been widely adopted. We will cover maintaining individual Flows by using history to identify issues, implementing error handling, and analyzing usage trends. Students will learn how to share Flows with colleagues, import and export Flows, and manage the overall Flow experience through Office 365 administration settings that ensure data security and segregation.
Lessons
- Maintaining a Flow for Government
- Viewing History and Analytics for Flows in a Government Environment
- Sharing Flows with Colleagues in a Government Setting
- Exporting and Importing Flows for Government
- Office 365 Administration for Flow in a Government Context
- Managing Environments for Flows in Government
- Data Policies for Flows in Government
- Data Integration for Flows in Government
Lab: Maintaining Your Flows for Government
- Share a Flow with a Colleague in a Government Setting
- Disable an Active Flow in a Government Environment
- Delete a Flow in a Government Context
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Maintain a Flow for Government Processes
- View History and Analytics for Flows in a Government Setting
- Share Flows with Colleagues in a Government Environment
- Export and Import Flows for Government Needs
- Administrate Flows in Office 365 for Government
- Use Data Policies in Flows for Government
- Integrate Data in Flows for Government
Requirements
Before participating in this course for government, attendees are not required to have any prior experience with Flow.
