When several automation tools are configured on the same module in Zoho CRM, it helps to know the order they run in, since this affects which rule actually gets the final say on a record.

The execution order

With every type of automation configured, the order is:

1. Assignment Rules. Since every record entering the CRM needs an owner, assignment rules run first.
2. Review Process. If a record matches Review Process criteria, it must be reviewed by an authorised reviewer before it can proceed any further.
3. Approval Process. The record then enters the Approval Process, if it matches your configured criteria.
4. Workflow Rules. Workflow Rules fire based on their own criteria, for example sending a welcome email once a Lead's status reaches Contacted.
5. Blueprint. Blueprint runs last, moving the record through its defined process stages.

Which automation can override another

Workflow Rules are the only automation tool that can override an action taken by Blueprint. Neither Approval Processes nor Assignment Rules can override Blueprint. In practice, this means Blueprint and Workflow Rules tend to work best as complements: Blueprint defines the allowed structure and stages a record must move through, while Workflow Rules handle the background actions that should fire as those stages change.

When updating records via the API

By default, creating, updating, or upserting a record through the API triggers Workflow Rules, Approvals, and Blueprints automatically, exactly as it would through the interface. You can suppress all of these by passing an empty trigger array, or trigger only specific ones, such as Workflow Rules and Approvals but not Blueprints, by naming them explicitly in the trigger parameter.