Research on Petri Net Based Modeling and Analyzing Methods for Workflow Process

Workflow management is an important aspect in CSCW at present. The elementary knowledge of workflow process is introduced, the Petri nets based process modeling methodology and basic definitions are provided, and the analysis and verification of structural and behavioral correctness of workflow process are discussed. Finally, the algorithm of verification of process definitions is proposed.

An Effective Approach to Verify the Correctness of Workflow Process Models Based on Petri Net

Along with the extensive use of workflow, analysis methods to verify the correctness of the workflow are becoming more and more important. In the paper, we exploit the verification method based on Petri net for workflow process models which deals with the verification of workflow and finds the potential errors in the process design. Additionally, an efficient verification algorithm is given.

A New Methodology for Process Modeling of Workflows

Workflow-based systems are typically said to lead to better use of staff and better management and productivity. The first phase in building a workflow-based system is capturing the real-world process in a conceptual representation suitable for the following phases of formalization and implementation. The specification may be in text or diagram form or written in a formal language. This paper proposes a flow-based diagrammatic methodology as a tool for workflow specification. The expressiveness of the method is appraised though its ability to capture a workflow-based application. Here we show that the proposed conceptual diagrams are able to express situations arising in practice as an alternative to tools currently used in workflow systems. This is demonstrated by using the proposed methodology to partial build demo systems for two government agencies.

Adaptive resource allocation for workflow containerization on Kubernetes

In a cloud-native era,the Kubernetes-based workflow engine enables workflow containerized execution through the inherent abilities of Kubernetes.However,when encountering continuous workflow requests and unexpected resource request spikes,the engine is limited to the current workflow load information for resource allocation,which lacks the agility and predictability of resource allocation,resulting in over and underprovisioning resources.This mechanism seriously hinders workflow execution efficiency and leads to high resource waste.To overcome these drawbacks,we propose an adaptive resource allocation scheme named adaptive resource allocation scheme(ARAS)for the Kubernetes-based workflow engines.Considering potential future workflow task requests within the current task pod’s lifecycle,the ARAS uses a resource scaling strategy to allocate resources in response to high-concurrency workflow scenarios.The ARAS offers resource discovery,resource evaluation,and allocation functionalities and serves as a key component for our tailored workflow engine(KubeAdaptor).By integrating the ARAS into KubeAdaptor for workflow containerized execution,we demonstrate the practical abilities of KubeAdaptor and the advantages of our ARAS.Compared with the baseline algorithm,experimental evaluation under three distinct workflow arrival patterns shows that ARAS gains time-saving of 9.8% to 40.92% in the average total duration of all workflows,time-saving of 26.4% to 79.86% in the average duration of individual workflow,and an increase of 1% to 16% in centrol processing unit(CPU)and memory resource usage rate.

Artifact-centric workflow management system

Data-centric modeling approach for workflow specification and design has received considerable attention from research and development communities.An architecture for a workflow management system named EZFLOWS was outlined.Key components and research issues associated with the development of EZFLOWS were discussed.

Dynamic hierarchy description and constraint rules of flexibility workflow

A dynamic hierarchical description method for workflow is presented. The method provides a dynamic hierarchical way to define a workflow with non-determinate or dynamic factors. With this method, the main process defined at build-time can be reified and extended by the principle of the sub-organizations at either the build-time or the run-time. To ensure the consistency and integrity of the description, a series of constraint rules are also discussed to realize seamless integration between a decomposed process and its original one. This approach supports the description of unpredictable uncertainties, the dynamic hierarchy of business process, and the dynamic modification of enterprise organizations, and all of these improve the flexibility and extendability of workflow management systems dramatically.

Context-aware BPEL workflow system using aspect-oriented programming

Business process execution language(BPEL)is a most recognized standard workflow language.However,it is difficult to be used in the ubiquitous system computing environment because it is difficult to describe the context information in the selection of the flow through the branch.To solve this problem,we propose a new BPEL workflow system with context-awareness by using aspect-oriented programming(AOP).This system is composed of a BPEL system module and a weaving module using AOP for context-aware.The BPEL system module generates a BPEL workflow program.And the weaving module converts a context-aware mark-up language(CAML)document to the aspect-oriented program that is applied to context-aware code without modification of the existing BPEL document.We also define a new document form that is called CAML,which provides a context-aware that is not available in BPEL.The system can generate a context-aware workflow program.It is developed in a way that inserts context information using AOP to provide context-aware services.

Generation of Interactive Questionnaires Using YAWL-based Workflow Models

A concept is introduced in this article which has strong practical impact for computer aided system configuration. System configuration is a cumbersome and fault sensitive task while setting up systems in a broad range of business applications like ERP （enterprise resource planning） and other workflow-systems. Given a generic process or workflow model in YAWL-notation （yet another workflow language） or any other process modeling language like business process model and notation or WFMC （workflow management coalition）, it could be stated that, by using a set of reduction rules as introduced, it is possible to generate a hierarchically structured tree of sub graphs of the workflow graph-representation. According to the notation used, authors call these sub graphs facts. The tree structure of the graph-representation on one hand and the logical relation between the branches and leafs of the tree on the other can be utilized to create a set of constraints and dependencies among the single facts. Some researchers showed that the nested branches can be associated to （predefined） questions with respect to the configuration of a workflow management system, for instance an ERP-application. They presented an algorithm which dynamically sorts the questions and answers in a maximum efficient configuration path, while working through the corresponding questionnaire. By combining the different elements as facts, constraints on questions, and configuration space, it is thus possible to algorithmically generate the efficient structured and interactive questionnaire for the configuration of workflow systems and algorithmically check the consistency （dead lock free, free of synchronization structural conflict） of the underlying workflow model. The concept was tested in the prototype of the interactive questionnaire for configuration of the web-service based ERP-Application Posity.

Lotus Workflow工作机制与应用研究

Dom ino是OAS开发的主力平台,其上的工作流管理系统LotusW orkflow成功地将工作流原理机制引入到开发平台中,很好地适应了OAS开发对安全性、方便性以及动态变化的要求.本文对LotusW orkflow的工作机制进行了详细的剖析,介绍了其工作流的组织方式和引擎工作原理,并在此基础上成功地进行了OA应用系统的设计与实现.

基于Windows Workflow Foundation技术的软件项目管理系统的实现方法

采用工作流技术构建软件项目管理系统的架构,通过Windows Workflow Foundation技术把系统业务流程的应用逻辑和过程逻辑分离,在不修改具体功能模块的情况下,只需修改过程模型即可改变系统功能,从而实现对系统业务流程的过程化的集成管理。

Approach for workflow modeling using π-calculus

As a variant of process algebra, π calculus can describe the interactions between evolving processes. By modeling activity as a process interacting with other processes through ports, this paper presents a new approach: representing workflow models using π calculus. As a result, the model can characterize the dynamic behaviors of the workflow process in terms of the LTS (Labeled Transition Semantics) semantics of π calculus. The main advantage of the workflow model's formal semantic is that it allows for verification of the model's properties, such as deadlock free and normal termination. Moreover, the equivalence of workflow models can be checked through weak bisimulation theorem in the π calculus, thus facilitating the optimization of business processes.

Behavior Consistency Computation for Workflow Nets With Unknown Correspondence

Consistency degree calculation is established on the basis of known correspondence, but in real life, the correspondence is generally unknown, so how to calculate consistency of two models under unknown correspondence has become a problem. For this condition, we should analyze unknown correspondence due to the influence of different correspondences.In this paper we obtain the relations of transitions based on event relations using branching processes, and build a behavioral matrix of relations. Based on the permutation of behavioral matrix, we express different correspondences, and define a new formula to compute the maximal consistency degree of two workflow nets. Additionally, this paper utilizes an example to show these definitions, computation as well as the advantages.

Applying Petri-Net-Based Reduction Approach for Verifying the Correctness of Workflow Models

The correctness of workflow models is one of the major challenges in context of workflow analysis. The aim of this paper is to provide an improved Petri net-based reduction approach for verifying the correctness of workflow models. To the end, how to represent well-behaved building blocks and control structures of business processes by Petri nets is given at first, and then how to build well-structured process nets is presented. According to the structural characteristics of well-structured process nets, a set of legacy reduction rules are improved and extended, and then a complete Petri-net-based verification approach is proposed. The sound ness and the complexity with polynomial time for the improved re duction method are also proven.

Application of ~1H NMR-based metabolomics for discrimination of different parts and development of a new processing workflow for Cistanche deserticola

Cistanche deserticola(CD) is one of the two authoritative source plants of Cistanches Herba, a well-known medicinal plant. Herein,~1H NMR spectroscopy was employed to characterize the chemical profile and to distinguish the different parts, as well as to propose a new processing workflow for CD.Signal assignment was achieved by multiple one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopic techniques in combination with available databases and authentic compounds. The upper parts of the plant were distinguished from the lower parts by combining ~1H NMR spectroscopic dataset with multivariate statistical analysis. A new processing method that hyphenated steaming with freeze-drying, was demonstrated to be superior to either steaming coupled with oven-drying or direct freeze-drying via holistic ~1H NMR-based metabolomic characterization. Phenylethanoid glycosides, mainly echinacoside and acteoside, were screened out and confirmed as the chemical markers responsible for exhibiting the superiority of the new processing workflow, whereas serial primary metabolites, especially carbohydrates and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites, were found as the primary molecules governing the discrimination between the upper and lower parts of the plant. Collectively,~1H NMR spectroscopy was demonstrated as a versatile analytical tool to characterize the chemical profile and to guide the indepth exploitation of CD by providing comprehensive qualitative and quantitative information.

A Workflow Demonstrator for Processing Catalysis Research Data

The UK Catalysis Hub(UKCH)is designing a virtual research environment to support data processing and analysis,the Catalysis Research Workbench(CRW).The development of this platform requires identifying the processing and analysis needs of the UKCH members and mapping them to potential solutions.This paper presents a proposal for a demonstrator to analyse the use of scientific workflows for large scale data processing.The demonstrator provides a concrete target to promote further discussion of the processing and analysis needs of the UKCH community.In this paper,we will discuss the main requirements for data processing elicited and the proposed adaptations that will be incorporated in the design of the CRW and how to integrate the proposed solutions with existing practices of the UKCH.The demonstrator has been used in discussion with researchers and in presentations to the UKCH community,generating increased interest and motivating furtherdevelopment.

A Workflow Process Mining Algorithm Based on Synchro-Net

Sometimes historic information about workflow execution is needed to analyze business processes. Process mining aims at extracting information from event logs for capturing a business process in execution. In this paper a process mining algorithm is proposed based on Synchro-Net which is a synchronization-based model of workflow logic and workflow semantics. With this mining algorithm based on the model, problems such as invisible tasks and short-loops can be dealt with at ease. A process mining example is presented to illustrate the algorithm, and the evaluation is also given.

Operational Semantic of Workflow Engine and the Realizing Technique

At present, there is no formalized description of the executing procedure of workflow models. The procedure of workflow models executing in workflow engine is described using operational semantic. The formalized description of process instances and activity instances leads to very clear structure of the workflow engine, has easy cooperation of the heterogeneous workflow engines and guides the realization of the workflow engine function. Meanwhile, the software of work flow engine has been completed by means of the formalized description.

一种基于XML的Workflow过程定义语言

工作流是指一个业务操作从开始到结束的整个过程,是一系列相互衔接、自动进行的业务活动或任务,它在流程管理方面有很重要的应用。由于工作流程和业务规则的变更会经常发生,所以提供一种好的Workflow过程定义方法或语言已经成为目前工作流技术得以进一步发展和广泛应用的关键。在WPDL的基础上提出了一种基于XML的简单易用的Workflow过程定义语言。

Research on Concurrent Engineering Oriented Integrated Product Development Process Management System

In concurrent engineering, effective process management is the key to improve the efficiency and quality of product development. Although in project management system, workflow management system and PDM system, process management functions are provided, they can not meet the needs of product development. In this paper, we integrate the project management, workflow management and product management technique together and a concurrent engineering oriented integrated product development process management system is proposed. The system structure, integrated product development model and running method are introduced. The practice proves this system is powerful in supporting product development process.