Critical Path Based Approach for Predicting Temporal Exceptions in Resource Constrained Concurrent Workflows

Overview

A workflow management system can be used to host several simultaneously executing workflows. Conflicts usually occur when tasks from instances of different workflows compete for limited resources (e.g. human resources, financial resources, etc).

Figure 1 (a) shows an example of conflict involving tasks from two concurrent workflows when only four units of resources are available for sharing. In this example, resource conflicts occur at tasks T₂₂, T₂₃, T₂₄ and T₂₅. Furthermore, these resource conflicts are linked to the underlying temporal constraints of a task within the workflow.

Figure 1.

(a) Resource conflict in workflows (b) Temporal constraints of task T