Whereas Contributor controls which users are allowed to perform actions, workflows define what happens when they do so.

Workflows allow rules to be created (without the need to write any code) that are triggered to perform actions, when associated conditions occur in SharePoint lists or libraries.

The Wine Company team is interested in workflows because they can use the functionality already built into SharePoint to allow them to focus on what they are good at (selling wine), while SharePoint takes care of the workflow for them.

Whenever a new order is placed, it triggers a rule in the workflow that sends an email to the accounts department notifying them of the new order. Depending on the payment status, the accounts department either approve or reject the order. If the order is approved, the workflow progresses and sends an email to the warehouse staff, notifying them to ship the order.