Workflow Management Systems

Synonyms

Business-process management systems; Workflow management system

Definition

According to the Workflow Management Coalition, a workflow management system is a system that completely defines, manages, and executes workflows through the execution of software whose order of execution is driven by a computer representation of the workflow logic.

Workflow Model

A workflow model includes two parts: a model of the workflow process, including the activities, their order, and their start and termination conditions, and a model of the organization at which the workflow takes place, including the individual actors, the organizational roles, and departmental units who all perform workflow activities. A workflow process is performed for cases that trigger it (e.g., item order, a candidate’s application). A workflow task performed for a specific case is called “workflow item.” Workflow items are performed by a participant: an organizational actor, role, unit, or resource. An activity is a...