A proposed design for a workflow engine

Abstract

The paper discusses the proposed design for a workflow engine. Workflow is the automation of procedures where documents, information or work is passed between several processing entities. Work contains activities with certain alms. Usually any work can be divided into smaller subworks. When the subworks have been executed, the original work is done. Each processing entity executes its own part before the work is passed onto the next processing entity. The paper focuses on the work database and two main engine modules. The modules are the work administrator and the user interface. The work administrator enables the engine to process the workflows. The user interface provides two-way communication between the engine and the processing entities. The engine enables the execution and scheduling of work by ensuring that it is conveyed to the appropriate entity during a suitable interval. The work database stores the work processing information. Initial results show that the prototype based on the design is capable of processing production-based workflow.