Model and infrastructure for decentralized workflow enactment

ABSTRACT

Today, enactment of Web service flows -- the process of evaluating control flow and executing activities a workflow is composed of -- is typically done by a centralized workflow enactment service as part of a Workflow management system. This exhibits a number of drawbacks with regard to process adaptability and process fragmentation among a number of participating partners. In order to overcome the deficiencies of centralized process navigation, we propose a model for flexible and adaptable distributed processes as orchestrations of a set of self-coordinating components, without the need for central coordination. Furthermore, we provide key characteristics and an architecture for the development of a supporting infrastructure that facilitates both, deployment and management of distributed components as well as decentralized workflow enactment.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.1 Office Automation
          Subjects: Workflow management

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Theory

Keywords:
distributed workflows, self coordinating components, tuplespaces