Revisiting Workflow Modeling with Statecharts

Abstract

In this chapter, we model business workflows using Harel’s statecharts. We demonstrate that mapping to statecharts allows one to systematically identify potential workflow problems. Moreover, it also allows one to investigate specific properties inherent in actual business workflows. Our research focuses on three desirable properties of active database systems — termination, confluence, and observable determinism. As a theoretical lens for termination and confluence, we develop algorithms linking desirable active database system properties to workflow management systems problems. Preliminary validation of our algorithms is accomplished by mapping business workflows from a case study. Our research thus generates preliminary theory by developing a systematic method for identifying workflow problems.