A method and system for controlling and executing a workflow during a computer-assisted surgical procedure include providing an optical tracking system having a field of view and being in communication with the workflow, introducing a first tracked device into the field of view, identifying the first tracked device with the tracking system based on a first reference member associated with the first tracked device, determining a first step in the workflow based on the identification of the first tracked device, and displaying the first step to a user on a graphical user interface. The optical tracking system having a processor with software executable instructions for identifying the presence or absence of either the tracked implements in the field of view of the tracking system, determining a workflow step based on identification of the tracked implement, and commanding the workflow to display the determined step on the graphical user interface.
