A Framework and Taxonomy for Distributed Workflow Architectures

Abstract

The design and implementation of a workflow management system is typically a large and complex task. Decisions need to be made about the hardware and software platforms, the data structures, the algorithms, and the interconnection of various modules utilized by various users and administrators. These design decisions are further complicated by requirements such as scalability, flexibility, robustness, speed, and usability. In this paper I describe a framework and taxonomy conceived to be helpful in the design of distributed workflow systems, and in the understanding of the spectrum of possibilities for large-scale distributed workflow architecture. This paper is particularly concerned with issues of distributed versus centralized control and data. As a salient example of a novel distributed architecture within this taxonomy, this presents the Distributed Chautauqua Architecture, which is based upon the concept of intelligent process migration from activity to activity without the intervention of a workflow server engine.