1. A method for generating a workflow, comprising: displaying a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUI) panels through which a user is capable of defining nodes of a workflow and associating at least one action and user with each node, wherein the defined associated user performs the associated action at the node when executing the workflow, and wherein multiple nodes define actions that process at least one object that is routed through multiple nodes of the workflow; generating from information entered into the GUI panels a workflow model including the nodes and workflow defined by the user through the GUI panels that process the at least one object; transforming the workflow model into a workflow definition language (WDL) file; and transferring the WDL file to a workflow server, wherein the workflow server interacts with a database to implement the workflow model defined in the WDL file in the database.