A framework for dynamic changes in workflow management systems
- 22 November 2002
- conference paper
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Abstract
Current workflow management systems (WFMSs) are only applicable in a reliable and secure manner if the business process (BP) to be supported is well structured. As ad hoc deviations from preplanned BPs are rather the norm and form a key part of process flexibility, this limits the applicability of today's workflow (WF) technology significantly. We present a framework for the support of ad hoc structural changes of WFs. Basic to our approach is a conceptual, graph based WF model which has a formal foundation in its syntax and operational semantics. Based upon this model, we have developed a complete and minimal set of change operations which support users in modifying the structure of WFs at runtime, while preserving their correctness and consistency.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- ObjectFlow: Towards a process management infrastructureDistributed and Parallel Databases, 1996
- Exceptions and exception handling in computerized information processesACM Transactions on Information Systems, 1995
- Dynamic change within workflow systemsPublished by Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) ,1995
- WorkFlow systemsPublished by Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) ,1995
- Support of cooperative work by electronic circulation foldersPublished by Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) ,1990