A Workflow-Based Cooperative Project Management System

In modern large enterprises, a complex project is usually composed of a series of processes and needs many persons with different roles cooperating with each other within limited time and investment. A workflow-based cooperative project management system (CPMS) that can support multi-user working is presented in this paper. The system is based on Browser/Server architecture that contains User Interface, Business Logic and Data Access three layers in which the core is an XPDL-based workflow engine. A series of cooperative mechanisms such as inclusive gateway, exclusive gateway and parallel gateway are designed to achieve the definition, configuration, and control of the workflow, the assignment, submission and approval of project tasks, the allocation and configuration of project resource. The version control techniques for workflow designs, project plans and project documents are also presented. CPMS has been used in an international enterprise that needs to manage thousands of projects each year. The application result demonstrates that the system can satisfy the needs of cooperative project management.