1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving directly or indirectly, by a client application at a client device, an electronic document from an initiating workflow participant; obtaining, by the client device and without contacting a workflow server device, workflow information from the electronic document, the workflow information pertaining to at least one activity assigned to a user; receiving, by the client device and without contacting the workflow server device, user input specifying whether to consult on or delegate the assigned activity; updating, by the client device and without contacting the workflow server device, the workflow information in the electronic document to indicate that the assigned activity was consulted on or delegated; if the user input indicates consulting on the assigned activity, receiving user input to identify the initiating workflow participant and a consultant, wherein the updating comprises updating by the client device the workflow information in the workflow document to include the identities of the initiating workflow participant and the consultant, wherein the client application sends the electronic document to the consultant based on the identity of the consultant included in the workflow information, and receiving by the client device a second version of the electronic document from the consultant, wherein the second version reflects that the assigned activity has been performed; and if the user input indicates delegating the assigned activity, receiving user input to identify a delegate, wherein the updating comprises updating by the client device the workflow information in the workflow document to include the identity of the delegate, and sending, by the client application, the electronic document to the delegate based on the identity of the delegate included in the workflow information.