# How To Choose Your First WFM Workflow

## Objective

Choose one useful starting workflow for your team, based on the outcome you need first.

## Environment

- An administrator can confirm which WFM areas and setup are available in your workspace.
- The planner or manager who will run the pilot has access to the Forecasts or Scheduling area for the workflow you choose.
- You know whether your first workflow will use synchronized Zendesk history, prepared forecast data, or an existing schedule.

If you still need to collect prerequisites, start with [the data and access checklist](/help/articles/what-data-and-access-you-need-before-setup/).

## Resolution

1. **Name the first outcome.** Choose the question you need WFM to answer: how much support demand to expect, how to staff a period, or how to review a schedule already in use.
2. **For demand planning, start with a forecast.** Use synchronized history or upload prepared data. Review volume and coverage before scheduling; see [How Forecasts Become Schedules](/help/articles/how-forecasts-become-schedules/).
3. **For a staffing plan, start with a schedule.** Use a completed forecast for demand-based coverage, or build manually when you know the coverage needed. Review validations before publishing. See [How To Review An Existing Schedule](/help/articles/review-an-existing-schedule/).
4. **If a schedule already exists, begin with review.** Check the relevant schedule period and shifts or activities, then decide whether your next workflow should be schedule changes, requests, or live operations.
5. **If agent self-service is the first goal, prepare the schedule first.** Share [how to view a schedule in My Schedule](/help/articles/view-your-schedule/) once it is ready.
6. **Keep the pilot small.** Start with one representative team and planning period. Record what worked and what setup or access needs attention before expanding the workflow to more teams.

> Canonical page: https://zenops.cx/help/articles/choose-a-first-wfm-workflow/
> Audience: For administrators and planners
> Summary: Choose a useful first workflow based on your team’s goals and available inputs.

## Notes on this article

### Note: Before agents use My Schedule

After step 5 in resolution. Each agent needs a linked workforce profile and a published schedule for the dates they want to view.