Journal of the Association for Information Systems· 2026Q1
Evaluation of Workflow Management Systems - A Meta Model Approach
- 76citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
A meta-model approach provides a structured method for evaluating and comparing diverse workflow management systems (WfMS) by generalizing product-specific meta-models into reference meta-models.
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Key points
- Workflow management systems (WfMS) enable the automated enactment of processes, separating control flow from application systems.
- A large number of WfMS exist, following different paradigms, creating a selection problem.
- A meta-model approach offers a structured method for evaluating and comparing WfMS.
- Product-specific meta-models can be generalized into reference meta-models to define workflow methodologies and user requirements.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The automated enactment of processes through the use of workflow management systems enables the outsourcing of the control flow from application systems. By now a large number of systems, that follow different workflow paradigms, are available. This leads to the problem of selecting the appropriate workflow management system for a given situation. In this paper we outline the benefits of a meta model approach for the evaluation and comparison of different workflow management systems. After a general introduction on the topic of meta modeling the meta models of the workflow management systems WorkParty (Siemens Nixdorf) and FlowMark (IBM) are compared as an example. These product specific meta models can be generalized to meta reference models, which helps to specify a workflow methodology. Exemplary, an organisational reference meta model is presented, which helps users in specifying their requirements for a workflow management system.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 2026 · DOI ↗
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