Method and apparatus for optimization in workflow management systems

US8145595B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Matthias Kloppmann · Eppelheim, DE
• Frank Leymann · Aidlingen, DE
• Albert Maier · Tübingen, DE
• Berhard Mitschang · Eppelheim, DE
• Charles D. Wolfson · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2008
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 5, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S707/99931
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Activities within a workflow are either data management activities (DMAs) or non-DMAs. A workflow is typically carried out by a system by executing one activity after the other. This can, however, be very time consuming. A method and system are provided for optimizing a group of activities (GOA) comprising a DMA, whereby the GOA is comprised in the workflow to improve the overall performance. The method determines the DMAs, and for each DMA, a data level statement (DLS). The GOA is determined and a process graph model (PGM) is determined from the GOA so that the DLS is comprised in the PGM and the semantics of the PGM are identical to those of the GOA. The PGM is optimized for which an optimized GOA is determined. The semantics of the optimized GOA are identical to those of the GOA. In the workflow, the GOA is replaced by the optimized GOA.