Workflow management system

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A workflow management system ( WFMS ) is a software for workflow management and execution of modeled workflows ( Engl. Workflow ).

Workflow management applications based on models of such work processes are implemented solutions for controlling such work processes on the basis of a workflow management system .

The component for executing the modeled workflows is called the workflow engine .

For the design phase, workflow management systems contain a component for the graphic modeling of work processes. These can also be imported from other environments ( frameworks ).

functionality

The workflow engine interprets events at runtime , such as the receipt of a document by e-mail or the expiry of a time limit, and reacts to this with the action defined in the modeled workflow. This action can be, for example, the storage of the document in a document management system or the escalation of overdue work to the management.

Workflow management systems can usually recognize and classify a series of events and then carry out certain actions independently. However, both the events and the actions to be carried out are usually supplemented by specially implemented applications for the respective specific events and actions.

In addition, most workflow management systems offer support for

  • the verification of work processes - for example, whether an event is actually planned at a certain point in time in the work process
  • different workflows depending on the rights and roles of the users

Basically, components or subsystems of workflow management systems can be assigned to several classes:

Routing system ( traffic policeman )
This function forms the basic function of a workflow management system. It is used for routing the flow of information or documents, i.e. forwards the accompanying information from one work position in the workflow to the next. This function will not deal with exceptional situations.
Distribution system ( helmsman )
This level is an extension that recognizes exceptional situations and can forward relevant information to designated work positions. In addition, a dynamic allocation can be made by assigning new tasks to underutilized work positions and in this way a stabilization or a balance of workloads between the work positions of the workflow is achieved.
Coordination system ( foreman )
This function coordinates concurrent activities so that conflicts in resources or priorities are avoided.
Agent system ( unskilled workers )
This function takes care of the preparatory work independently ( automatically ) and relieves the executing authority of activities without the need for decision-making.
Assistance system ( expert )
This function expands the previous one with an instance for process adjustments and suggestions for further action. Artificial intelligence methods are the basis .

Modeling

A workflow is usually understood as a model for a large number of frequently repetitive work processes.

Demarcation and integration

Workflow management systems are often incorrectly assigned to groupware and the area of computer supported cooperative work , as they regulate the work of different people within an organization. Workflow management systems, however, support structured tasks and processes, groupware offers support for rather unstructured processes. In contrast to "Computer-Supported-Cooperative-Work" systems such as multi-user editors, workflow management systems have only little support for cooperative interaction .

On a technical level, the functionalities of workflow management systems, computer-supported cooperative work systems, document management systems (DMS), project management software, enterprise content management systems , enterprise resource planning (ERP ) can be monitored with the help of Enterprise Application Integration (EAI).

International standardization

Many workflow management concepts are based on representations such as Petri nets . Several international committees deal with the standardization or standardization of workflow management concepts and with related or related topics.

  • Workflow Management Coalition
  • World Wide Web Consortium
  • Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards

Examples of workflow management systems

See also

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The Workflow Engine Model. Retrieved June 29, 2020 .
  2. ↑ WfMC Reference Model, (English) (PDF; 215 kB)
  3. ↑ Home - Workflow Management Coalition. Retrieved June 29, 2020 .
  4. ^ World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Retrieved June 29, 2020 .
  5. ↑ OASIS | Advancing open standards for the information society. Retrieved June 29, 2020 .