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

Authors: Saida Boukhedouma; Zaia Alimazighi; Mourad Oussalah

Addresses: LSI Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, USTHB University, Algiers, Algeria ' LSI Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, USTHB University, Algiers, Algeria ' LINA Laboratory, University of Nantes, Nantes, France

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.

Keywords: inter-organisational workflow; IOWF; service-oriented architecture; SOA; loosely-coupled; SBCP; service-based cooperation patterns; restructuring process; abstraction; interconnection; adaptation; evolution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISCM.2016.079562

International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, 2016 Vol.8 No.2, pp.106 - 143

Received: 17 Feb 2016
Accepted: 05 Jun 2016
Published online: 02 Oct 2016 *

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