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, the 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 workflow coordination mechanisms and agent-based decision-making capabilities, and (3) a framework to evaluate software architectures with an emphasis on the cost implications of system flexibility. A prototype system illustrating the implementation of intelligent workflow concepts is also reported.