Visual support for reengineering work processes

Abstract

A model for collaborative work process and a graphical language to support this model is presented. The model allows for informal flow of communications and flexible access to information along with a formal flow of responsibility. Work is decomposed into a network of task assignments (actually requests for those tasks), which may be recursively decomposed to finer grained tasks. The model includes consideration for authority and responsibility. Process flow can be dynamically modified. Policies (templates for a process) may be tailored to provide versions of a process customized for different individuals. The visual language is designed to ease the creation of policies and modification of ongoing processes, as well as to display the status of an active process.