Workflow execution state variables

Methods, systems and computer program products for managing workflows between multiple third-party systems. A content management system stores a workflow that operates over content objects by invoking third-party applications. The content management system invokes these third-party applications, and these applications make modifications to the progression of the workflows as the third-party applications carry-out their specific portions of the workflow. Upon receipt of a workflow variable value from a first third-party application, the content management system determines the semantics of the workflow variable value and caries out a next portion of the workflow. The content management system then invokes a further next portion of the workflow to be carried out by a second third-party application. Upon receipt of a workflow variable value from the second third-party application, the content management system determines the semantics of the workflow variable value to then carry out yet a further portion of the workflow.