Pushing decision points backward to the latest possible positions with a workflow log

Abstract

Currently, enterprises face more competitive and complex environments than ever before. Companies would suffer devastating setbacks if business changes were ignored. Enterprises could leverage competitive advantages if business changes were automatically adopted in processes by stimulating workflow redesign. Business changes imply new business processes with decision points. The effects of business changes on business operations are firmly recorded by system logs. Pushing decision points to the latest possible position may be a feasible method while facing business changes. Business changes also imply redesigning business processes. This study proposes an algorithm for pushing decision points backward, which enables decision points in business processes to be identified automatically. This study also proposes a new workflow graphic based on the algorithms for pushing decision points backward. The new workflow graphic from the results of this study can contribute to redesigning businesses.