{"id":1694,"date":"2026-01-01T14:09:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T19:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2wrkdev.wpenginepowered.com\/automation-triggers-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T07:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T11:52:34","slug":"automation-triggers-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog2workato.wpengine.com\/automation-triggers-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Automation Triggers: Definition and 3 Real-World Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The quality of your processes largely hinges on their ability to run smoothly at every step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This holds true for core processes, like employee onboarding, as well as those that are more niche, like cash reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that any business workflow operates reliably, effectively, and with minimal human intervention, you can automate it by using a trigger event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How, exactly, can a trigger-based automation work? And why is it the solution for streamlining your workflows? We\u2019ll tackle both questions, but before we do, let\u2019s take a closer look at its definition.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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Ready to build trigger-based automations?<\/h4>\r\n

Workato, the leader in enterprise automation, lets you use a wide range of triggers to build end-to-end automations.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t Schedule a demo<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n

What is a triggered automation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A triggered automation is a type of automation that\u2019s put into motion once a certain predefined event takes place. <\/strong>The event is typically a particular activity that occurs in an application, such as an opportunity in a CRM being marked as \u201cClosed Won.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 3 types of triggers you can use to pick up the events and run the automations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Polled<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An integration-led automation platform checks for the trigger event in your app on a pre-defined, time-based cadence (e.g. every hour).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Real-time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An integration-led automation platform is connected to apps, typically via webhooks, to let the apps know about the events it’s interested in. Once the condition for an event is fulfilled, the app notifies the integration-led automation platform in real time (which triggers the workflow).<\/p>\n\n\n

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3. Scheduled<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A trigger is executed by an integration-led automation platform on specific days and at specific times within those days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of these trigger types, you can use conditions to specify when, exactly, an automation takes place. For instance, let\u2019s say that whenever a new case in a platform like Salesforce gets added, you want to create a corresponding ticket in an app like Jira, but only under certain circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using trigger conditions, you can specify these circumstances. In our example, this can be when a case is marked as high priority or gets classified as a problem\u2014and if you\u2019d like, you can include both as conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this overview in mind, let\u2019s review a few types of triggered automations you can build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: The strengths offered by an iPaaS<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of trigger-based automations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a look at how you can apply triggered automation to HR, sales, and IT processes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. An onboarding workflow gets triggered once a new hire signs their offer letter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After a candidate signs their offer letter, your team will need to move quickly in preparation for their first day. Here\u2019s how automation can help your team do just that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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