Supporting the operation of semi-structured work systems

Abstract

A semi-structured work system (SSWS) combines business processes and activities with different specification levels, from highly structured workflow processes to loosely structured collaborative activities. In the first part of the paper, the fundamental concepts regarding business process management systems are reviewed in order to highlight their shortcomings as far as the management of SSWS is concerned. The second part of the paper discusses the requirements of information systems targeted to support effectively the activity of SSWS. The final part of the paper introduces a system that was developed accordingly to those requirements and the preliminary results of their application. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.