Advanced Topics In Workflow Management: Issues, Requirements, And Solutions

Abstract

This paper surveys and investigates the strengths and weaknesses of a number of recent approaches to advanced workflow modelling. Rather than inventing just another workflow language, we briefly describe recent workflow languages, and we analyse them with respect to their support for advanced workflow topics. Object Coordination Nets, Workflow Graphs, WorkFlow Nets, and an approach based on Workflow Evolution are described as dedicated workflow modelling approaches. In addition, the Unified Modelling Language as the de facto standard in object-oriented modelling is also investigated. These approaches are discussed with respect to coverage of workflow perspectives and support for flexibility and analysis issues in workflow management, which are today seen as two major areas for advanced workflow support. Given the different goals and backgrounds of the approaches mentioned, it is not surprising that each approach has its specific strengths and weaknesses. We clearly identify these strengths and weaknesses, and we conclude with ideas for combining their best features.