---
title: Do steps run in parallel or in order? · Tallyfy Pro
description: Tallyfy steps run in parallel by default, so every task in a process is open as soon as it launches. To make one step wait for another, add an automation that shows it only after the earlier step is completed, or chain rules for a strict order.
lastUpdated: 2026-10-27T00:00:00.000Z
source_url:
  html: https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/do-steps-run-in-parallel-or-in-order/
  md: https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/do-steps-run-in-parallel-or-in-order/index.md
---

## Steps run in parallel by default

When you launch a process, every step is open at once. Anyone assigned to a step can start and finish it straight away, in any order. Nobody waits for a coworker unless you tell Tallyfy they should.

Most work doesn’t need a strict order, and making people wait for an unrelated step only slows the process down.

## Make a step wait for another step

Add an automation to the template. To hold step 7 until step 3 is done:

**IF** `Step 3` **is** `Completed` **THEN** **Show** `Step 7`

A step that a **Show** rule targets is hidden when the process launches, so you don’t hide it separately. It appears as soon as step 3 is completed.

## Run steps in a strict order

Chain the same rule down the template. Step 1 completed shows step 2, step 2 completed shows step 3, and so on. People then see one step at a time.

## Wait for two steps at once

To hold a step until two earlier steps are both done, put both conditions in one rule and join them with **AND**. The [synchronization example](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/examples/synchronization/) shows how.

## Mix the two

Most processes need both. Let steps that don’t depend on each other run side by side, and add a rule only where one step has to wait. In project-planning terms, every step starts at launch, and each rule adds a finish-to-start link.

Every visibility rule is covered in [automate hiding or showing tasks](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/actions/visibility-actions/).

## Related articles

[**Actions > Automate hiding or showing tasks**](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/actions/visibility-actions/)

Visibility actions show or hide workflow steps based on conditions like form field values or…

[**Automations > Conditional visibility**](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/conditional-visibility-guide/)

Tallyfy lets you show or hide entire workflow tasks based on form field values using automations…

[**Examples > Synchronization**](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/examples/synchronization/)

Use the AND operator in Tallyfy automations to wait for multiple approvals or conditions before…

[**Examples > Combined visibility and deadline automations**](https://tallyfy.com/products/pro/documenting/templates/automations/examples/combined-visibility-deadline-rules/)

Combine visibility and deadline automations so steps appear only when conditions are met, with…