A Windows-Explorer-like model for workflow specification

This paper presents the modeling part of our component-based approach for the specification and verification of workflow systems (WFS). Based on a graphical version of LOTOS, a WFS is specified as a user-friendly Windows-Explorer-like hierarchy of activities. The activities may be on-line or off-line. They may be composed of simple actions or complicated processes under various workflow patterns, such as sequential, parallel, synchronization, interruption, choice, etc. By expanding or collapsing the activities in the hierarchy, a WFS can be viewed with different levels of detail. The specification can also be used for viewing, monitoring, executing, controlling, scheduling and verifying the WFS.