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