Workflow restructuration and interconnection for adaptation and evolution support: the 'loosely coupled' architecture

Abstract

This paper describes an approach for restructuration, interconnection and change support of B2B process models. We start with process models obeying to specific inter-organisational workflow IOWF architectures widely used in the B2B area, among them the 'loosely coupled' architecture. To obtain IOWF process models with additional degree of flexibility, we define new cooperation patterns based on the SOA paradigm. We focus first, on the question of restructuring and interconnecting WF processes using services. For that, we define a restructuring process with two main phases. Then, using the concept of service-based cooperation pattern SBCP, we provide conceptualisation and formalisation of the 'loosely coupled' pattern. For the issue relative to flexibility support, we propose specific patterns for adaptation and evolution of IOWF process models obeying to the 'loosely coupled' pattern. Also, for formalisation, we define new operators of adaptation.