Flowtracer allows one to describe the basic flow of a software build in Tcl, shell scripts, or at execution time. The tool will then store and track the inputs and outputs of the flow in its database, automatically detecting changes as they occur. The tool provides a GUI that visualizes the flow, allowing for instant notification of failures in the flow, as well as providing push-button operation of the flow.
Flowtracer is a commercial alternative to make, a widely distributed and free tool that uses "make files" written in a proprietary format to the make tool.