Workflow Basics: Architecture and Applications

Transcription

1 INFORMATION SYSTEMS Workflow Management Systems Workflow Basics: Architecture and Applications HICSS-35, January 7, 2002 J. Leon Zhao Associate Professor Department of MIS, University of Arizona SIG on Process Automation and Management

2 Outline 1. Major Components of a WFMS 2. WfMC Architecture Standards 3. Example: Oracle Workflow System 4. Workflow as the e-business Hub 2

3 Components of a Workflow Management System Business Process Modeling, Workflow Definition Tools Build Time Process Model Workflow Engine Database Run Time Applications & IT Tools 3

4 Build Time and Run Time Activities Build Time: Create the process model Create business rules Create User model Rule Time: Create process instances Route activities Control processes and activities 4

5 Graphical Workflow Builder (Oracle) 5

6 Worklist 6

7 Work Item 7

8 Monitor the Approval Process 8

9 Workflow Monitor Allows Process Control 9

10 Workflow Navigator to Launch Processes 10

11 Outline 1. Major Components of a WFMS 2. WfMC Architecture Standards 3. Example: Oracle Workflow System 4. Workflow as the e-business Hub 11

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13 Architecture of Workflow Management System 13

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16 Process Definition Model 16

17 Relationships among Workflow Concepts Business Process (i.e.. what is intended to happen) is defined in a is managed by a Sub-Processes Process Definition (a representation of what is intended to happen) which may be Activities or composed of used to create & manage Workflow Management System (controls automated aspects of the business process) via Process Instances (a representation of what is actually happening) include one or more Manual Activities (which are not managed as part of the Workflow System) Automated Activities Activity Instances during execution which are represented by include Work Items (tasks allocated to a workflow participant) and/or Invoked Applications (computer tools/applications used to support an activity) 17

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26 Outline 1. Major Components of a WFMS 2. WfMC Architecture Standards 3. Example: Oracle Workflow System 4. Workflow as the e-business Hub 26

27 Oracle Workflow Components AQ AQ AQ Directory Services AQ AQ AQ Users Roles Web Notification Worklist Web Monitor IAS Business Events System Send Receive Raise Notification Services Send Respond Forward Workflow Engine Execution Definition Administration Workflow Builder Workflow Loader Web Analysis Tools Admin Query Cancel Query Monitoring Query Workflow Definition Files Mail Applications Notification Mailer Oracle Workflow Enabled Application Browser Client Application Server Oracle server Workflow Development Client

28 Workflow as Process Management Tool Modeling the Business Process How are Requisitions Approved What Happens After a Candidate Accepts an Offer Automating Business Rules What Functions Need to be Executed Who is the Next Approver What Happens if Somebody Does Not Take Action Who Gets Notified of Progress Separation of Application and Process Logic Changes in the Business Process Need Not Affect the Code 28

29 Model The Business Process Example Process: Requisition Approval 29

30 Rule-Based Workflow Engine Server Side Architecture Ensures Optimal Performance Oracle Applications Oracle Workflow o7 Oracle 8 Manages the Execution of a Business Process Immediate and Background Operation Generates 100% Audit Trail Delivers Notifications When Human Activities are Required Oracle 8 Transactional Integrity Guarantees Consistency Between Application and Workflow State 30

31 Rule-Based Workflow Engine Supports Sophisticated Constructs Looping Results-Based Branching Parallel Flows Rendezvous 31

32 Rule-Based Workflow Engine Voting Time-outs Escalations Automatic Forwarding Sub-Processes Unlimited Hierarchy of Sub- Processes 32

33 Rule-Based Workflow Engine Complete Programmatic Extensibility Express Any Complex Business Rule as a PL/SQL Activity, and Allow Workflow to Branch on the Result Write Custom Code as a PL/SQL Activity and Have the Workflow Engine Execute Your Code PL/SQL API Available for All Engine Operations Communicate with the Workflow Engine Via Any Application Capable of Making a Remote Procedure Call to an Oracle Server 33

34 Human Notification System Various Mail Applications HTML Plain text Oracle Internet Messaging SMTP Notifications Notification Worklist Web Client Netscape Lotus Notes MS Exchange Unix Sendmail Others MAPI Oracle Workflow Notification Mailer Oracle server Oracle Workflow Worklist 34

35 Electronic Notifications Reaching Inside and Outside the Enterprise Notify Users to Handle Activities that Cannot Be Automated Send Notifications to Individuals, Roles or Workgroups Change the Participants in a Role Without Changing the Process Automatic Notification Forwarding When User Is Unavailable (Vacation, Sick Leave) When User Wants to Temporarily Delegate a Task 35

36 Electronic Notifications Multiple Notification Methods Central Notification Viewer Form Ideal for Regular Oracle Applications Users Allows Drill-Down to Oracle Applications Screens to Facilitate Task Completion Internet-Enabled Use Standard Web Browser to Review and Respond to Notifications Allows Drill-Down to Any URL to Facilitate Task Completion (Oracle InterOffice, MAPI, UNIX Sendmail) Detail and Summary Formats Plain Text or HTML Attachment True Disconnected Work 36

37 Closing the Business Process Reengineering Loop Workflow Engine Workflow Definition 37

38 Oracle Workflow Future Plans Integration With Document Management Systems Oracle InterOffice Document Library Third Party Document Management Systems CORBA Interface to Oracle Workflow Engine Object Management Group, Workflow Management Facility Workflow Management Coalition Interface II Compliance 100% Java 38

39 Outline 1. Major Components of a WFMS 2. WfMC Architecture Standards 3. Example: Oracle Workflow System 4. Workflow as the e-business Hub 39

40 e-business Integration e-business is accelerating demand for integration Business-to-Business Commerce Corporate Self-Service Virtual Supply Chains Customer Relationship Management Application Service Providers/Hosting Communication is required between systems both within and beyond the enterprise 40

41 Model Driven Integration Data Warehouse Order Entry Shipping Warehouse WORKFLOW Human Resources Web Store Credit Management Accounting 41

42 Workflow Embedded In Oracle Applications Core Technology Embedded Since Release 10.7 Over 700 Workflow Activities Will Be Shipped with Release 11 Oracle Purchasing Oracle General Ledger Oracle Projects Oracle Payables Oracle Human Resources Oracle Service Oracle Engineering Oracle Web Employees Oracle Web Customers Oracle Web Suppliers 42

43 Workflow is Essential Complete process representation Crosses organizational, company boundaries Build in management metrics, performance goals Adaptable workflow processes Provides alternatives Allow for refinement Workflow enables continuous process improvement Analyze time and costs of entire processes with multidimensional analysis Reducing costs and time 43

44 Expense Report Oracle AP Standard Expense Report Process AP Approval Approved Manager Approval Start Determine Which Process To Start From Server Validation Server Side Validation Process Manager (Spending) Approval Process Reject Approve AP Approval Process ShortPay Shortpay Unverified Receipt Items End (Approve) Resubmit Report Rejection Process Abort End (Reject) 44

45 Business Event Driven Workflow System Integration Messaging Hub ORACLE 8i Workflow Engine A P P L I C A T I O N Business Events Business Events Business Event System Advanced Queuing Business Events Business Events A P P L I C A T I O N 45

46 Workflow Business Events - Example Check Stock New Order Fan Out Fan In Accept Order End Check Credit Check Stock Check Credit Notify Admin <Timeout> Fan Out <Timeout> Start Stock Check Order : Stock Checked End Start Credit Check Order : Credit Checked End 46

47 Internet Procurement 100% Lifecycle Automation Workflow is much more than approvals Approved Supplier Lists Auto Release Procurement Workflow Standard POs Supplier Schedules EDI / Fax Web Approved MRP/DRP Generated Requirements Receive ASN Create Requisitions Approval Workflow Pay on Receipt Non- Production Requests Search Catalog (Local or TPN Register) AP Content Loads/Updates Payment Suppliers

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