Workflow Modeling Based On Multidimensional Petri Net

Through analyzing the research based on workflow model situation of foreign and domain, we get the conclusion that many problems exist in the previous research of workflow model. Workflow processes of current majority workflow models are defined based on intuition of graphic language and scripting language. These definitions are essentially the methods of user layer. As for users, the definition is an ideal one. However, the definition is not good to the system realization. The essential feature of the workflow can not be well described by the definition. Moreover, the process can not be analyzed and evaluated accurately. In order to address these problems, a workflow modeling method based on multidimensional Petri net is presented after analyzing various workflow models.Firstly, a workflow net model based on Multidimensional Petri Net is proposed in this paper. Place and Transition in the new model have been re-defined. Timing Petri net and colored Petri net are incorporated in our proposed model, which is more simple and applicable to the complex workflow modeling comparing with the traditional Petri net model.Secondly, the time constraint is introduced into our proposed workflow model based on the Multidimensional Petri net. Temporal inference method and simplification analysis for fuzzy timing Petri nets are proposed to describe time constraints in a complex workflow system. Fuzzy temporal inference methods for three elementary workflow patterns based on fuzzy timing Petri net are presented in order to transform local time constraint to global time constraint. Thus, time constraint for each model is obtained so that the problem of workflow exceptions can be addressed effectivelyFinally, in order to confirm the correctness of the proposed workflow model based on the Multidimensional Petri net, workflow modeling and analyzing tool MDWPN-FLOW is designed in the form of groupware. The system framework and the groupware function are designed. MDWPN-FLOW is applied in the Foreign affairs'approval system successfully.