Research On Component-Based Workflow Modeling

Despite technology of the workflow has been widely used in the software development, but with the rapid expansion of software and the big change of software requirements, the problem of the flexibility of workflow model is still there. For the problem, this paper integrates the technology of component and workflow and proposes a method of component-based workflow modeling. The component of workflow by abstracting the elements of the workflow process model and the relationship of component by the logical order for the component in the model will be defined. Then we can get a model of workflow category using category theory which is a mathematical method.On the basis of the model, the workflow component combination of semantics will be given using the category operations, and an example will be presented.Firstly, the process model of workflow was analysed and the elements of model were mapped to the object of component. Reference to the3C model, the workflow component will be defined for binary group collection of component specifications and component implementation. The formal definition of component specifications contains the component interfaces, attributes, and its structure. The logical sequence in the workflow model represents the morphism relationship between workflow components, and then based on the definition of category theory, we build the category models of workflow component by using the workflow components and morphism relationships.Then, using the category operation, combination operation semantics of workflow components are presented by analyzing the interation between workflow component actions and the conditions of combination. Considering the connectons of component interfaces, linked combination which includes sequence and parallel combination was presented according to the logic order of activities. On the level of workflow component specification, putout combination was defined according to the behavior interaction relations. On the level of component’s behavior changes,we achieved the coordination of workflow components combination by adding new components.Finally, taking the survey and design project management information system for example, we analysised the proposed mehod of workflow modeling based on the component. It showed that this method had realized the dynamic modeling of workflow and alleviate the shortcomings in the course of flexible workflow model by interaction combinations of the workflow component.