The Automated Journey Builder Program Flow Guide explains how to design, build, and edit the workflow inside an Automated Program. Use this article when you are adding, moving, branching, or deleting steps between the Start and Exit points.
Use this article only when you are building or editing steps. It assumes your program already has contact sources, entry settings, and program messages configured.
If you need help creating a program, choosing entry methods, adding messages, or managing early exits and program status, see the Automated Journey Builder User Guide .
Quick Reference (Advanced Users) - Click to Expand
- Open your program and go to Build > Program flow.
- Use the + buttons to add steps between Start and Exit.
- Click a step to configure it. Hover for Move, Copy, or Delete.
- Leave placeholders while outlining, but complete required fields before running.
- Pause before editing a running program.
- Before deleting a step, confirm whether contacts are currently inside that step.
Access the Program Flow
- Go to Automation > Automated Programs.
- Open an existing program or create a new one.
- Go to Build > Program flow. This is where you build the workflow in the visual builder.
Build your Program Flow
Each new program includes a Start and Exit step. You build the journey between those steps using the + buttons.
Add a step
Click a + button to choose which step you want to add.
Immediately after a step is added, it is highlighted with a blue border. This makes it easy to confirm your last change.
Edit, move, copy, or delete a step
Click anywhere on a step to edit it. When you hover over a step, you will see options to Move, Copy, or Delete.
You can leave some information blank while outlining your program, but you must complete required fields before the program can run.
Common build patterns
Pattern: simple linear drip
- Send Email
- Wait (time-based)
- Send Email
- Exit
Pattern: engagement split
- Send Email
- Wait (enough time for engagement)
- Branch (clicked vs not clicked)
- Send follow-up messages by path
- Exit
Pattern: conversion with Early Exit
- Send Email
- Wait
- Branch by behavior or profile
- Use Build > Early exits to remove contacts once they meet your conversion criteria (for example, they enter a “Customer” segment).
Early Exits are configured outside Program Flow in Build > Early exits. See How to Use Early-Exit Conditions .
Program Step Options
Not all step options may be available, depending on your Act-On setup.
-
Send Email: Send an email to contacts, or send different messages based on rules you define.
Messages must be added in Build > Program messages before you can select them in a Send Email step. - Send SMS: Send a text message to opted-in contacts. See Send a text.
- Branch: Send contacts down different paths based on profile or behavior.
-
Wait:
- Wait: Pause for X hours, days, or weeks.
- Wait Until: Pause until a specific day and or time.
Edit safely (important)
If your program is running, you can view Program Flow but you cannot make changes. Pause the program first.
Deleting a step can remove contacts. If contacts are currently inside a step (especially a Wait step), deleting that step can cause contacts to exit the program when you save. Review contact activity before you delete steps.
For full guidance on pausing, contact impact, and step deletion options, see: Edit an Automated Program .
Next steps
- Configure sources, entry method, messages, Early Exits, and other settings in the Automated Journey Builder User Guide .
- Start, pause, and monitor the program using the Dashboard: Using Act-On's Automated Programs Dashboard .