Workflow or the flow of work involves people and people are agents where workflow is concerned. Without people, a workflow would be reduced to a series of background steps. Without agents, a vital part of workflow is missing.
There are many tools available on a workitem (inbox entry) agent. Which also relate to rule resolution. Here's a bold-statement list of potential relevant topics.
Imagine actually using the stuff you are developing. Make sure you get it right ! Putting on the hat of your end user is what a developer (designer) needs to do - the workflow inbox items you are setting up, will be part of someone's daily job for potentially much longer than you will be on the development team.