Database and Transaction Model for Dynamic and Cooperative Workflows

Abstract

In the paper, a flexible persistent environment for workflow system applications is proposed. It enables both efficient business process modeling and execution. A special emphasis is put on the dynamic evolution of process description over a given time, on one hand, and on the cooperative execution of activities embedded in processes which correspond to transactions, on the other.

In case of activity evolution, the proposed approach is based on the notion of the database configuration, which comprises versions of objects included in a particular set. The paper shows that a particular versioning technique may improve and simplify process modeling.

In case of activity execution, new ideas concerning transaction management are proposed, which aim to efficiently and widely support the cooperation between users assigned to the same tasks, who intend to achieve common goals in a collaborative way.