Enactment theory as a paradigm for enabling flexible workflows

Abstract

This paper proposes collective enactment theory as an alternative to speech acts or situated actions as the basis for workflow systems. Enactment theory goes beyond the conventional scope of theories of action by acknowledging tiordances in the environment, needs of individuals and organizations, decision and preparation, motivation, planning and scheduling, execution, evaluation, and consequential changes in the organization and their environment. This encompassing scope allows to overcome limitations of current workflow systems and to integrate a large range of organizational and individual behavior. Particular emphasis in this paper is given to organizational activities that precede or follow the planning, scheduling, and execution of organizational work. The integration of planning and scheduling activities in enactment theory is shown and implications for workflow design and architectures are delineated.