System and method for automatically starting a document on a workflow process

A system automates workflow routing within a system such as a content management system. The system administrator specifies initial workflow process and priorities for item types, ItemTypes. When the administrator defines an ItemType, a drop-down field is provided by the present system in which the available process names are displayed. A second drop-down field provided by the present system will contain the priority for the work. The administrator may select one of each for the new document, item, or folder. This process and priority information is stored as part of the ItemType definition in the library server. When an item is created, the library server checks the definition of the ItemType. If auto-workflow is specified, a work package is created by the present system on the first node in the specified process. The priority of the item is also set as previously defined by the administrator. The present system allows the administrator to define the process according to predefined business rules and procedures. Documents, items, and folders progress through the proscribed routing, allowing uniform treatment of all documents, items and folders, preventing user error.