Modeling Dynamic Task Coordination in Inter-Operating Workflow Management Systems

大部分工作流管理的研究都假设了一个中央控制的工作环境，其中任务和信息的共同定义是已知的，并通过使用该系统的所有工作组尊重。然而，自治团体可以自由地重新定义或消除个别活动或顺序，使预定义的协调与他人非常成问题。虽然无约束工作流协调的一般问题是困难的，但某些类别的互操作工作流受到足够的约束，可以管理和研究-例如，重复的操作级工作流，构成了许多组织中执行的大部分工作。这个项目的目的是产生一个概念和正式的模型，协调互操作的工作流管理系统（WFMS），允许补偿任务重新定义完全或部分自动化。通过构建模型的可执行版本，并使用一组测试用例对模型进行部分验证。将采用一种逐步改进模型的方法，利用可执行模型作为模拟器，并将模拟结果重新纳入模型，以获得“增长”模型的能力。该模型的透明，清晰的体系结构将提高对动态任务协调的理解，并将使在动态环境中的互操作工作流管理系统的功能得到改进。

Much of the research on workflow management has assumed a centrally-controlled work environment where common definitions for tasks and information are known and respected by all workgroups using the system. Autonomous groups, however, may be free to redefine or eliminate individual activities or sequences, making predefined coordination with others highly problematic. While the general problem of unconstrained workflow coordination is difficult, some classes of inter-operating workflows are constrained enough to be manageable and studyable---for example, repetitive, operations-level workflows that constitute the much of the work performed in many organizations. This project aims to produce a conceptual and formal model of coordinating interoperating workflow management systems (WFMSs) that allows compensations for task redefinitions to be fully or partially automated. The model will be partially validated by constructing an executable version of the model, and exercising the model with a set of test cases. An approach of progressive model refinement will be used to gain the ability to "grow" the model, using the executable model as a simulator and incorporating simulation findings back into the model. The transparent, well-articulated architecture of the model will improve understanding of dynamic task coordination and will enable improved functionality of interoperating WFMS in dynamic environments.