Achieving Software Flexibility via Intelligent Workflow Techniques

In this paper, we investigate innovative techniques of achieving software flexibility in a workflow environment. We believe that by incorporating workflow technology and intelligent agent techniques into modern information systems, software can be made more robust, more cost effective to maintain, and easier to change. In this paper, we present (1) an in-depth investigation of software flexibility issues, (2) an integrated system architecture that combines the workflow coordination mechanisms and the agent-based decision making capabilities, and (3) a framework to evaluate software architectures with emphasis on the cost implications of system flexibility. A prototype system illustrating the implementation of intelligent workflow concepts is also reported.