Using Workflow Management Systems to Improve Disaster Response Processes

Although numerous processes are executed in disaster response management (DRM), methods and tools of business process management (BPM) are often deemed inapplicable. Since recent approaches extend classical functionalities of workflow management systems (WFMS), their feasibility for DRM should be re-evaluated. In this paper, we discuss tactical disaster response as a promising field for applying WFMS. The main results are twofold: firstly, it is shown that current approaches are addressing a major challenge of DRM, namely the provision of increased flexibility for adapting workflow models "on the fly". Secondly, methods and tools for business process analysis are discussed with regard to their additional potential for improving DRM. Therefore, the discussion in this paper is expected to stimulate further research for improving by highlighting novel research areas that might not be addressed with the appropriate priority in the BPM community.