Supporting Different Dimensions of Adaptability in Workflow Modeling

Abstract

Abstract. This paper discusses the theme of workflow system adaptability in relation to process modeling. Starting from a discussion on the role of formal constructs in cooperation, the main claim is that adaptability involves different dimensions of process modeling. These dimensions concern the possibility to flexibly combine a rich set of basic categories in order to obtain the most suitable language for modeling the target business process and the work practices around it; to take into account various levels of visibility of the contexts of definition and use of a process model; and finally to allow for temporary as well as permanent modifications of the process itself. Ariadne, a notation conceived for the above purpose, is illustrated by means of a working example. Moreover, the paper presents the main design principles governing Ariadne's implementation.

Active artifacts as bridges between context and community knowledge sources

“…The interaction we had with the practitioners leads us to propose to support KAs, and their community-gluing capabilities, by endowing them with computational capabilities, i.e., we propose to build KAs as specific types of active artifacts [20]. Active artifacts are data structures capable of assuming an active (i.e., either reactive or proactive) role in mediating information exchange and coordination among cooperative actors.…”

“…The former two functionalities have been discussed in other works [20,4,16]: in this paper we focus on the ability to support knowledge work by embedding "user-generated" and modular active code in documental artifacts; this code makes the reactive mechanisms mentioned in Section 5 computable and hence augments the artifacts' content according to the context to make users aware of any significant condition.…”

Design and implementation of LUPMIS based on the customized GIS-Document Workflow

“…Laura A. Seffino and other scholars applied workflow and GIS into spatial decision-making system and etc. [3][4][5][6] . In China, Yan Ronghua, Chen Jun and others from National Geomatics Center of China presented the design and representation of GIS-Document control-flow and data-flow based on hiberarchy in 2001 [7] .…”

The story of a working workflow management system

“…Other researchers instead explored ways of making workflows adaptable (e.g. [8]), e.g., by providing ordinary workers with environments for building and modifying computational workflow models for their own use [13,4]. Parallel to this, of course, a line of research has focused on investigating the ways in which workflows are actually devised, constructed, adapted, modified etc., in cooperative settings (e.g.…”