FlowBack: Providing Backward Recovery
for Workflow Management Systems
Bartek Kiepuszewski (Distributed Systems Technology Centre)
Ralf Muhlberger (Distributed Systems Technology Centre)
Maria E. Orlowska (Distributed Systems Technology Centre)
The Distributed Systems Technology
Centre (DSTC) framework for workflow specification, verification
and management captures workflows transaction-like behavior for long
lasting processes. FlowBack is an
advanced prototype functionally enhancing an existing workflow
management system by providing process backward recovery. It is based
on extensive theoretical research ([3],[4],[5],[6],[8],[9]), and its
architecture and construction assumptions are product independent.
FlowBack clearly demonstrates the extent to which generic backward
recovery can be automated and system supported. The provision of a
solution for handling exceptional business process behavior requiring
backward recovery makes workflow solutions more suitable for a large
class of applications, therefore opening up new dimensions within the
market. For the demonstration purpose, FlowBack operates with IBM
FlowMark, one of the leading workflow products.
A technical report of this paper, including all references, can be
found at: http://www.dstc.edu.au/DDU/publications/tech-reports/TR-9840.ps