Anticipation to enhance flexibility of workflow execution

Abstract

This paper introduces an evolution to classical workflow that allows more flexible execution of processes while retaining its simplicity. On the one hand it allows to describe processes in the same way that they are in design and engineering manuals. On the other hand it allows to control these processes in a way that is close to the way they are actually enacted. This evolution is based on the concept of anticipation, i.e. the weakening of strict sequential execution of activity sequences in workflows by allowing intermediate results to be used as preliminary input into succeeding activities. The architecture and implementation of a workflow execution engine prototype allowing anticipation is described.