Resource scheduling in workflow management systems

• US 7,398,525 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Leymann, Frank, Roller, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): An; Meng-Al T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCOS, CAROLINE H
• Application Number:
  US10/681,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20040078778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: 718/104, 718/100, 718/101, 718/102, 705/1, 705/8
• US Class Current: 718/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/50 Allocation of resources, e.g. of the central processing unit [CPU]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management

Abstract

A system for improved scheduling of resources within a Workflow-Management-System or a computer system with comparable functionality (WFMS). Based on a new resource specification comprised within a process model and associated with an activity, the WFMS determines the resources required for execution of said activity. The invention further schedules a request for allocation of said resources on behalf and in advance of starting execution of said activity. This approach reduces the execution time of the activity as all resources required by the activity will be available when execution of the activity begins; the activity does not have to wait for these resources. Moreover, a WFMS knowing the required resources of the activities it is administrating is able to schedule resource requests to avoid resource conflicts between the activities.

Claims

1. A computerized method for resource handling within a Workflow Management System (WFMS), said WFMS administrating execution of a process-model of a business-process wherein said process-model comprising at least a first activity and a second activity, said method comprising the steps of:

determining said process-model of the business-process comprises a first resource-specification associated with said second activity, said first resource-specification comprising;

at least one first resource-identification of a first resource required for execution of said second activity, and

an assumed first waiting time period for said second-activity specifying a time required after a first allocation request until said first resource is actually available for said second activity,

requesting allocation of said first resource on behalf of and at least said assumed first waiting time period in advance of starting execution of said second activity,

monitoring within said requesting allocation step an actual waiting time period required after said allocation request until said first resource is available,

updating said assumed waiting time period to a new assumed waiting time period in said process-model of the business-process based on said actual waiting time period; and

starting execution of said first activity followed by said second activity.

2. The computerized method for resource handling according to claim 1, wherein in said starting step said second activity is not started before said first resource has been allocated successfully.

3. The computerized method for resource handling according to claim 1, wherein said first resource-specification comprises an identification of an execution-environment responsible for administering said first resource, and

said allocation request of said first resource is requested from said execution-environment.

4. The computerized method for resource handling according to claim 1, wherein said updating is using one of the following strategies;

using said actual waiting time period as new assumed waiting time period, or

determining a new assumed waiting time period based on a statistical measure employing said actual waiting time period.

5. The computerized method for resource handling according to claim 1, further comprising

determining said process-model of the business method comprises a second resource specification associated with a third activity, said second resource-specification comprising:

the first resource-identification of the first resource required for execution of said third activity, and

a second assumed waiting time period specifying a second time required after a second allocation request until said first resource is actually available for said third activity; and

scheduling said first resource for use by said second activity and said third activity based upon said first and second assumed waiting times.