Open AccessAn approach to e-workflow systems with the use of patterns
Author(s) -
John Ndeta,
Stamatia-Ann Katriou,
Kerstin V. Siakas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of entrepreneurial knowledge
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2336-2952
pISSN - 2336-2960
DOI - 10.37335/ijek.v3i1.23
Subject(s) - workflow , workflow management system , computer science , workflow technology , xpdl , workflow engine , activity diagram , software engineering , business process , unified modeling language , database , programming language , software , engineering , compatibility (geochemistry) , chemical engineering
In today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing environment, e-businesses constantly have to modify their business processes, i.e. the flow of documents and tasks in a business also known as workflow. More flexible Workflow Management Systems are required to support these constantly changing processes. In this research a platform independent architecture for the design of e-workflow systems is illustrated. The architecture includes an information pool, namely a Workflow Pattern Repository, which contains patterns, which are repeatable solutions to reoccurring problems, in order to make the system more apt to change and assist the workflow designer/user in defining workflows faster and more accurately. The patterns in the repository are in the form of UML activity diagram templates. A straightforward input format for storing patterns in the repository is provided along with an example of its practical application.