Affiliations: Department of Information and Technology, Eindhoven
University of Technology, PO Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The
Netherlands | Hasso Plattner Institute for Software Systems
Engineering, Prof. Dr.-Helmert-Straße 2-3, D-14482 Potsdam, Germany | Distributed and Mobile Systems Group, Faculty of
Information Systems and Applied Computer Science,
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Feldkirchenstraße 21, D-96045
Bamberg, Germany
Abstract: This paper surveys and investigates the strengths and weaknesses of
a number of recent approaches to advanced workflow modelling. Rather than
inventing just another workflow language, we briefly describe recent workflow
languages, and we analyse them with respect to their support for advanced
workflow topics. Object Coordination Nets, Workflow Graphs, WorkFlow Nets, and
an approach based on Workflow Evolution are described as dedicated workflow
modelling approaches. In addition, the Unified Modelling Language as the de
facto standard in object-oriented modelling is also investigated. These
approaches are discussed with respect to coverage of workflow perspectives and
support for flexibility and analysis issues in workflow management, which are
today seen as two major areas for advanced workflow support. Given the
different goals and backgrounds of the approaches mentioned, it is not
surprising that each approach has its specific strengths and weaknesses. We
clearly identify these strengths and weaknesses, and we conclude with ideas for
combining their best features.
