Introducing workflow management in software maintenance processes

Software organizations are moving from traditional software factory models towards virtual organization models, where distributed teams converge in a temporary network with the aim of integrating different competences or solving problems in a cooperative way. Most workflow management systems of last generation are web based and this makes them a viable enabling technology for remodeling both the organization structure and its processes in order to move towards a virtual organization model and increase its competitiveness. We present a case study of introducing workflow technologies in a large software enterprise. In particular, a workflow-based prototype implementation for the management of the ordinary maintenance process is discussed.