# Building process flows

## Introduction

**Process flows** are built by dragging and dropping [shapes](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes) onto a [canvas](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/the-process-flow-canvas), and then configuring those shapes to work in the way you need to exchange data between connector [instances](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/connectors-and-instances/working-with-instances). 

Process flows are extremely flexible. You can build something very simple to sync data between two instances with standard field mappings - or build more complex flows, perhaps using custom scripts and/or routing data to different paths based on given conditions. 

## Prerequisites for building a process flow

Before you start building a process flow, make sure that you've [installed a connector](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/connectors-and-instances/working-with-connectors/installing-a-connector) and [added your required instances](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/connectors-and-instances/working-with-instances/adding-an-instance) for any third-party applications that you want to use.

## In this section

* [Approaching your first process flow](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/approaching-your-first-process-flow)
* [Techniques for building process flows](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/the-process-flow-canvas/techniques-for-building-process-flows-classic-canvas)
* [Best practice for building process flows](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/best-practice-for-building-process-flows)
* [Process flow versioning](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-versioning)
* [Adding a new process flow](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/adding-a-new-process-flow)
* [The process flow canvas](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/the-process-flow-canvas)
* [Process flow shapes](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes)
* [Shape notes](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/shape-notes)
* [Dynamic variables](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/dynamic-variables)