Research on web-based visual workflow modeling and XPDL parsing

With a growing interest in gaining a competitive edge for current enterprise through capitalizing on workflow technique, the paper uses workflow process definition meta-model proposed by WFMC (Workflow Management Coalition) and XPDL parsing technology to develop the web-based visual workflow modeling systems. This system can build a kind of workflow model structure including process model, information model, organization model and resource model. JSP and Servlet are mainly enabling technology for developing the system. In the system proposed by the paper, workflow model can be built through visual interface in the way which model elements and their relationships are specified by using human-computer interface and a visual graph can be finally acquired. This visual graph is then saved as XPDL document that can be interpreted by workflow engine conforming to XPDL standard. In the paper, several key technologies of developing web-based visualization workflow modeling system are provided including XPDL, SOAP, SVG, J2EE and system security. At last, an example is illustrated to describe the modeling function and the related XPDL document.