Start with one real workflow
Follow a task from the moment it arrives to the moment it is finished. Write down who touches it, what information they need, and where they wait. A specific process reveals more than a long feature wishlist.
Separate the rule from the exception
Record the usual path and the exceptions: missing information, approvals, duplicate records, and cancellations. These details shape the data model and permissions before a screen is designed.
Choose a first release people can use
Pick a complete, narrow workflow. Define how existing records will move, who will validate them, and what happens if the new system needs to be rolled back. Expansion becomes easier once the first workflow works in practice.