Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Designing a Workflow System Using Coloured Petri Nets

  • Chapter
Transactions on Petri Nets and Other Models of Concurrency III

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((TOPNOC,volume 5800))

Abstract

Traditional workflow systems focus on providing support for the control-flow perspective of a business process, with other aspects such as data management and work distribution receiving markedly less attention. A guide to desirable workflow characteristics is provided by the well-known workflow patterns which are derived from a comprehensive survey of contemporary tools and modelling formalisms. In this paper we describe the approach taken to designing the newYAWL workflow system, an offering that aims to provide comprehensive support for the control-flow, data and resource perspectives based on the workflow patterns. The semantics of the newYAWL workflow language are based on Coloured Petri Nets thus facilitating the direct enactment and analysis of processes described in terms of newYAWL language constructs. As part of this discussion, we explain how the operational semantics for each of the language elements are embodied in the newYAWL system and indicate the facilities required to support them in an operational environment. We also review the experiences associated with developing a complete operational design for an offering of this scale using formal techniques.

An earlier version of this work was presented at PNDS’08, the International Workshop on Petri Nets and Distributed Systems [1].

This research is conducted in the context of the Patterns for Process-Aware Information Systems (P4PAIS) project which is supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Russell, N., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., van der Aalst, W.M.P.: newYAWL: Specifying a workflow reference language using Coloured Petri Nets. In: Proceedings of the Eighth Workshop and Tutorial on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools. Number DAIMI PB-584, Department of Computer Science, pp. 107–126. University of Aarhus, Denmark (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  2. van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M.: YAWL: Yet another workflow language. Information Systems 30(4), 245–275 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., Kiepuszewski, B., Barros, A.: Workflow patterns. Distributed and Parallel Databases 14(3), 5–51 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Russell, N., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., van der Aalst, W.M.P., Mulyar, N.: Workflow control-flow patterns: A revised view. Technical Report BPM-06-22 (2006), http://www.BPMcenter.org

  5. Wynn, M., Edmond, D., van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M.: Achieving a general, formal and decidable approach to the OR-join in workflow using Reset nets. In: Ciardo, G., Darondeau, P. (eds.) ICATPN 2005. LNCS, vol. 3536, pp. 423–443. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Russell, N., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., Edmond, D., van der Aalst, W.M.P.: Workflow data patterns: Identification, representation and tool support. In: Delcambre, L.M.L., Kop, C., Mayr, H.C., Mylopoulos, J., Pastor, Ó. (eds.) ER 2005. LNCS, vol. 3716, pp. 353–368. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Russell, N., van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., Edmond, D.: Workflow resource patterns: Identification, representation and tool support. In: Pastor, Ó., Falcão e Cunha, J. (eds.) CAiSE 2005. LNCS, vol. 3520, pp. 216–232. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Jensen, K.: Coloured Petri Nets. Basic Concepts, Analysis Methods and Practical Use. Basic Concepts. Monographs in Theoretical Computer Science, vol. 1. Springer, Heidelberg (1997)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  9. Russell, N., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., Edmond, D., van der Aalst, W.M.P.: newYAWL: achieving comprehensive patterns support in workflow for the control-flow, data and resource perspectives. Technical Report BPM-07-05 (2007), http://www.BPMcenter.org

  10. van der Aalst, W.M.P.: The application of Petri nets to workflow management. Journal of Circuits, Systems and Computers 8(1), 21–66 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ellis, C., Nutt, G.: Modelling and enactment of workflow systems. In: Ajmone Marsan, M. (ed.) ICATPN 1993. LNCS, vol. 691, pp. 1–16. Springer, Heidelberg (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Adam, N., Atluri, V., Huang, W.: Modeling and analysis of workflows using Petri nets. Journal of Intelligent Information Systems 10(2), 131–158 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Moldt, D., Rölke, H.: Pattern based workflow design using reference nets. In: van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M., Weske, M. (eds.) BPM 2003. LNCS, vol. 2678, pp. 246–260. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. van der Aalst, W.M.P.: Formalization and verification of event-driven process chains. Information and Software Technology 41(10), 639–650 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Störrle, H., Hausmann, J.: Towards a formal semantics of UML 2.0 activities. In: Liggesmeyer, P., Pohl, K., Goedicke, M. (eds.) Proceedings of the Software Engineering 2005, Fachtagung des GI-Fachbereichs Softwaretechnik, Essen, Germany, Gesellschaft fur Informatik. LNI, vol. 64, pp. 117–128 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Dijkman, R., Dumas, M., Ouyang, C.: Semantics and analysis of business process models in BPMN. Information and Software Technology 50(12), 1281–1294 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Pesic, M., van der Aalst, W.M.P.: Modelling work distribution mechanisms using colored Petri nets. International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer 9(3), 327–352 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Di Nitto, E., Lavazza, L., Schiavoni, M., Tracanella, E., Trombetta, M.: Deriving executable process descriptions from UML. In: ICSE 2002: Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Software Engineering, pp. 155–165. ACM Press, New York (2002)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Machado, R., Lassen, K., Oliveira, S., Couto, M., Pinto, P.: Requirements validation: Execution of UML models with CPN tools. International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer 9(3), 353–369 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Jensen, K., Kristensen, L., Wells, L.: Coloured Petri nets and CPN tools for modelling and validation of concurrent systems. International Journal of Software Tools for Technology Transfer 9(3), 213–254 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Gottschalk, F., van der Aalst, W., Jansen-Vullers, M., Verbeek, H.: Protos2CPN: Using colored Petri nets for configuring and testing business processes. In: Jensen, K. (ed.) Proceedings of the 7th Workshop and Tutorial on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools. PB-579 of DAIMI Reports, Aarhus, Denmark, pp. 137–155 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ribeiro, O., Fernandes, J.: Some rules to transform sequence diagrams into coloured Petri nets. In: Jensen, K. (ed.) Proceedings of the 7th Workshop and Tutorial on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools. PB-579 of DAIMI Reports, Aarhus, Denmark, pp. 137–155 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Jørgensen, J.B., Lassen, K.B., van der Aalst, W.M.P.: From task descriptions via coloured Petri nets towards an implementation of a new electronic patient record. In: Jensen, K. (ed.) Proceedings of the 7th Workshop and Tutorial on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools, Aarhus, Denmark. PB-579 of DAIMI Reports, pp. 137–155 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Jablonski, S., Bussler, C.: Workflow Management: Modeling Concepts, Architecture and Implementation. Thomson Computer Press, London (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ceri, S., Grefen, P., Sanchez, G.: WIDE: a distributed architecture for workflow management. In: Proceedings of the Seventh International Workshop on Research Issues in Data Engineering (RIDE 1997), Birmingham, England. IEEE Computer Society Press, Los Alamitos (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ludwig, H., Hoffner, Y.: Contract-based cross-organisational workflows - the CrossFlow project. In: Grefen, P., Bussler, C., Ludwig, H., Shan, M. (eds.) Proceedings of the WACC Workshop on Cross-Organisational Workflow Management and Co-Ordination, San Francisco (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Eder, J., Liebhart, W.: The workflow activity model (WAMO). In: Laufmann, S., Spaccapietra, S., Yokoi, T. (eds.) Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Cooperative Information Systems (CoopIS 1995), pp. 87–98. University of Toronto Press, Vienna (1995)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Nick C. Russell & Wil M. P. van der Aalst

  2. Queensland University of Technology, P.O. Box 2434, QLD, 4001, Australia

    Wil M. P. van der Aalst & Arthur H. M. ter Hofstede

Authors
  1. Nick C. Russell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wil M. P. van der Aalst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arthur H. M. ter Hofstede
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Department of Computer Science, University of Aarhus, IT-parken, Aabogade 34, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark

    Kurt Jensen

  2. School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, 5095, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Australia

    Jonathan Billington

  3. SCS, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Maciej Koutny

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Russell, N.C., van der Aalst, W.M.P., ter Hofstede, A.H.M. (2009). Designing a Workflow System Using Coloured Petri Nets . In: Jensen, K., Billington, J., Koutny, M. (eds) Transactions on Petri Nets and Other Models of Concurrency III. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 5800. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04856-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04856-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-04854-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-04856-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation