A Messenger Model for Navigating Among Bureaucratic Requirements

A formal, computational model is proposed for navigating among the bureaucratic requirements relating to social services and electronic commerce. This model is based on a notion of intelligent agents, called messengers, that visit 'regimes' -formalized electronic front offices -of these agencies, and assemble the various requirements into a customized procedure for the client. On the client's approval, the procedure may then be executed by the messenger, delivering and collecting the appropriate electronic documents and payments. The scheme relies on a common representation for regimes. One such representation, called Candid, is presented here. Various implementation aspects are also discussed.