A Framework for the Modular Design and Implementation of Process-Aware Applications

Process-aware software systems are establishing themselves as prominent examples of distributed software infrastructures. Workflow Management Systems, web service orchestration platforms, Business Process Management support systems are relevant instances of process-aware software systems. These systems, because of their own nature, are all characterized by presenting a behavioral perspective, that is a perspective describing the steps that can be executed during the enactment of the process. In this paper we present a framework for the design and implementation of the behavioral perspective in modular process-aware architectures. This approach can be applied across different application domains. The modularity of the resulting architectures is well-known as a key factor in achieving software qualities such as reliability, extensibility, robustness, maintainability and ease of use. Our framework is based on EPML an executable process modeling language, and on its enactment engine. EPML has been designed with the aim of promoting separation of concerns, easing the modular approach to the design of process-aware software architectures. A notable advantages of the presented approach is that of using the same modeling language and the same modular software component to support the behavioral perspective across different application domains. As an example we show how it is possible to use EPML and its engine in the modeling and the implementation of a wide spectrum of software architectures, from those supporting business process simulation to those supporting web service orchestration.