Modeling Dynamic Task Coordination in Inter-Operating Workflow Management Systems

关于工作流管理的许多研究假设了一个中央控制的工作环境，在这种环境中，所有使用该系统的工作组都知道并遵守任务和信息的共同定义。然而，自治团体可能可以自由地重新定义或消除个别活动或序列，这使得预先定义的与其他活动或序列的协调非常困难。虽然不受约束的工作流协调的一般问题很困难，但某些类别的互操作工作流受到足够的限制，足以使其易于管理和研究-例如，构成许多组织中执行的大部分工作的重复性、操作级工作流。该项目旨在建立一个概念性和形式化的协调互操作工作流管理系统(WFMS)的模型，允许对任务重新定义的补偿完全或部分自动化。该模型将通过构建模型的可执行版本并使用一组测试用例来执行该模型来部分验证。通过使用可执行模型作为模拟器，并将模拟结果合并回模型中，将使用渐进式模型精化方法来获得“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，并将使动态环境中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.