Workflow Management

Workflow Management Coalition

The Workflow Reference Model

Document Number TC00-1003

Document Status - Issue 1.1

19-Jan-95

Author:

David Hollingsworth

Send comments to d.c.hollingsworth@x400.icl.co.uk

Workflow Management Coalition

2 Crown Walk

Winchester

Hampshire, UK

SO22 5XE

Tel: (+44) 1962 873401

Fax: (+44) 1962 868111

TC00-1003 Issue 1.1 Workflow Reference Model Printed 19/11/98

Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995 Workflow Management Coalition Page 2 of 2

Email: WfMC@wfmc.org

Web: http://www.wfmc.org

Table of Contents

1. Introduction................................................................................................ 3

1.1. Background................................................................................. 3

1.2. Purpose....................................................................................... 3

1.3. Scope.......................................................................................... 3

1.4. Audience..................................................................................... 4

1.5. How to read this document .......................................................... 4

1.6. Cross References......................................................................... 4

1.7. Revision History ......................................................................... 4

2. Workflow Systems Overview...................................................................... 6

2.1. What is Workflow?............... ...................................................... 6

2.2. The Evolution of Workflow ........................................................10

2.3. Product Implementation Model ...................................................12

2.4. Alternative Implementation Scenarios .........................................15

2.5. The Need for Standardisation .....................................................18

3. Workflow Reference Model .......................................................................20

3.1. Overview ...................................................................................20

3.2. The Workflow Model .................................................................20

3.3. Workflow Enactment Services....................................................21

3.4. Process Definition ......................................................................28

3.5. Workflow Client Functions.........................................................31

3.6. Invoked Application Functions ...................................................35

3.7. Workflow Interoperability ..........................................................37

3.8. Systems Administration..............................................................44

4. WAPI Structure, Protocols & Conformance ...............................................46

4.1. WAPI - Functional Overview of APIs.........................................46

4.2. WAPI Protocol Support .............................................................47

4.3. Conformance Principles..............................................................48

4.4. Interoperability Classifications & Conformance Levels ...............48

Appendix - Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ...........................................51

TC00-1003 Issue 1.1 Workflow Reference Model Printed 19/11/98

Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995 Workflow Management Coalition Page 3 of 3

1. Introduction

1.1. Background

Work Flow Management is a fast evolving technology which is increasingly being exploited by businesses in a

variety of industries. Its primary characteristic is the automation of processes involving combinations of human

and machine-based activities, particularly those involving interaction with IT applications and tools. Although

its most prevalent use is within the office environment in staff intensive operations such as insurance, banking,

legal and general administration, etc, it is also applicable to some classes of industrial and manufacturing

applications .

Many software vendors have WFM products available today which involve WFM technology and there is a

continual introduction of more products into the market. The availability of a wide range of products within the

market has allowed individual product vendors to focus on particular functional capabilities and users have

adopted particular products to meet specific application needs. However, there are, as yet, no standards defined

to enable different WFM products to work together, which is resulting in incompatible "islands" of process

automation.

The WFM Coalition