A meta model for structured workflows supporting workflow transformations

Abstract

Workflows are based on different modelling concepts and are described in different representation models. In this paper we present a meta model for block structured workflow models in the form of classical nested control structure representation as well as the frequently used graph representations. We support reuse of elementary and complex activities in several workflow definitions, and the separation of workflow specification from (expanded) workflow models. Furthermore, we provide a set of equivalence transformations which allow to map workflows between different representations and to change the positions of control elements without changing the semantics of the workflow. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002.