关键词: 工作流模型, 统一建模语言活动图, 可扩展标记语言的过程定义语言, 形式化转换, 适应性

Abstract: Aiming at such problemsas inadequate modeling ability, weak adaptability, and dependency of domain existed in current workflow management systems, a new workflow modeling method based on extended Unified Modeling Language activity diagrams and XML Process Definition Language (XPDL) specifications, was put forward. In order to improve modeling ability of the UML activity diagrams, the new modeling elements were extended in the traditional activity model such as multiple instance node, constrain route and coordination node. Concept of modeling element was defined and modeling rules were presented. To enable workflow model of UML activity diagrams to adapt to execution of different engines, a formal method of transforming UML activity diagrams into XPDL specifications was presented. Finally, an application of the order form management was given to show that the proposed method had great advantages in enhancing description ability, and system flexibility and adaptability were improved.

Key words: workflow modeling, unified modeling language activity diagrams, XML process definition language, formal transforming, adaptability