Giancarlo Nota

Workflow performance evaluation through WPQL

The problem of performance evaluation of business processes supported by Workflow Management Systems is a recent research issue. In this paper, we propose an approach to the performance evaluation of automated business processes based on the measurement language WPQL (Workflow Performance Query Language). The paper first describes the WPQL architecture together with a selection mechanism by means of which the workflow entities to measure are isolated. Then, the main constructs of WPQL for measure definition and measure application are presented and exemplified. Finally, we show a working session of the support tool and discuss some guideline for further research.

Relation grammars and their application to multi-dimensional languages

Relation grammars are introduced as a powerful formalism for specifying the syntax of visual languages and, more generally, of multi-dimensional languages. Textual languages use only the implicit relation of sequential concatenation of symbols. The proposed extension relax this limitation and allows the introduction of any number of relations. By analogy with textual grammars, relation grammars make it easier to recognize the purpose of the lexical analysis phase and that of the syntactic one for parsing multi-dimensional structures.

Relation grammars for modelling multi-dimensional structures

Relation grammars (RGs) are introduced as a possible general framework for specifying the syntax of visual languages and, more generally, of multi-dimensional languages. A formal definition of relation grammars is given. Two examples of applications on graphs are shown. RG formalism is compared to conventional context-free grammars. RGs are used to describe the syntax of horizontal lines and statechart graphs using picture processing grammars and picture layout grammars, respectively.<<ETX>>

Querying of executable software specifications

The availability of executable specification languages allows testing to be carried out soon after or concurrently with the requirements specification phase. In addition, it becomes possible to use these languages for rapid prototyping, making it possible to gather information on properties of the specified target system including its behavior in response to external events. The inspection of software behavior is viewed as the querying of executable specifications. A language RSQ is defined for the purpose of constructing queries against executable specifications expressed in RSF, a language for the description of systems with time constraints. A query is able to single out a subclass of possible behaviors based on properties supplied by the query. The integration of RSQ with RSF enhances the analytical abilities of the software designer and developer. >

Modeling Social Influences in a Knowledge Management Network

The issue of knowledge management in a distributed network is receiving increasing attention from both scientific and industrial organizations. Research efforts in this field are motivated by the awareness that knowledge is more and more perceived as a primary economic resource and that, in the context of organization of organizations, the augmented management complexity of its whole life cycle requires new reference models. In this paper, we build on recent research work to propose a distributed knowledge management framework that can be used in several application domains. We characterize the dimension of social influences in terms of identity, negotiation and trust modeling them within a framework that can augment learning and cooperation capabilities through knowledge sharing and effective communication. A particular instance of the presented framework, to handle the problem of risk management in enterprise alliance partnership, is discussed as a case study that shows the practical applicability of our approach.

A HIERARCHICAL MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVALUATION OF AUTOMATED BUSINESS PROCESSES

The problem of performance evaluation of business processes supported by Workflow Management Systems is a recent research issue. In this paper we propose a measurement framework in which several aspects concerning the timing and working of a business process, either as a whole or in terms of its components, can be precisely quantified. Our approach is based on the workflow model introduced by the Workflow Management Coalition and introduces some fundamental measures from which a number of derived measures can be hierarchically obtained. The paper describes the basic structures and the primitive operators of the framework as well as the fundamental and derived measures. Techniques for the evaluation of complex processes are also discussed. The proposed framework is quite general and can be applied to research and commercial workflow management systems with relatively little implementation effort.

Managing Uncertainty in Complex Projects

The need for complex systems has grown in recent years to react to the different requirements arisen in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent environment. Examples range from air traffic control systems, systems managing transactions on the stock exchange or environmental monitoring systems. The increasing complexity of such systems brings to the higher complexity of project management activities, which requires the review of commonly used methodologies to provide a better response to expectations of success for the planned projects. In this work we present a method for project monitoring and control based on the idea of a project view: given an analysis dimension such as time, cost and quality, each participant in the project has its own view on the project execution. The unavoidable differences between the views of various stakeholders have been formalized in the function \(gap\) that can be interpreted as an inverse measure of the degree of consonance between two participants with respect to the dimension of considered analysis. The method can leverage on the consonance seeking among stakeholders as a reduction factor of project risks.

Statechart modeling of contractual disputes

The benefits of contract management can be usually observed in terms of ambiguity minimization, disputes avoidance and smooth completion of processes arising from contractual agreements. Neverthless, uncertainty still plays its role: contractors might not have detailed information on the objective to achieve, the realization context could be not fully identified, the assumptions made at contract signing were misleading. These are just few examples of threats that can undermine the successin the achievement of contractual goals opening the door to stakeholder disputes especially when complex projects and virtual enterprises are involved. In this paper we propose a statechart model of contract management activities that formalizes the main interaction among contractors. The model represents the three fundamental states of a contract life cycle: Preparation, Execution and Termination, and is taken as reference for the ordinary life cycle management activities. In particular, we deepen the problem of dispute management providing a detailed representation useful for the dispute avoidance, if needed through the support of a mediator. The model also provides a set of transition rules that formally specify the behaviour of a reactive system for the support of contract and dispute management.

Writing and Analyzing System Specifications by Integrated Linguistic Tools

The literature offers several examples of executable specification languages, ranging from mathematically based notation to visual formalisms. In this paper, an analysis environment for executable system specifications based on the language RSF (Requirement Specification Formalism) is presented. The analysis environment also contains two other linguistic tools — RSQ (Requirement Specification Querying), and SEF (Specification Execution Filtering). Using RSQ, classes of execution paths with certain properties can be exercised, so that selected behavioral aspects can be observed. Using SEF, the amount of information and the times at which it is output can be controlled, making the behavior analysis more effective. The paper shows how the notation of RSF, with its few basic concepts, is naturally exploited as a nucleus for the other tools, which are easily integrated to produce the final analysis environment. The combination of RSQ and SEF allows the planning of testing and analysis activities. A working session is shown for a specification describing a telephone switch call handler.

The interaction type approach to relationships management

One important paradigm proposed in literature by the scientific community that advocates the viable system approach is the structure-system dichotomy for the capability to simplify the investigation of a phenomenon and recognize its scope and implications. The purpose of this paper is to provide a contribution to the debate which concerns the structure-system approach introducing the concept of interaction type as a bridge linking the relationship concept to that of interaction. The interaction type is first introduced in its simplest form using an UML class diagram that points out its role when the observer views changes from structure to system and from system to structure. Then, the recursive nature of interaction types is discussed in order to show how complex relationships, that involve more parties at several interaction levels, can be better represented and used. Finally, a model for the representation of transactions is proposed in which a transaction type can be interpreted as a particular case of interaction type and a transaction as an ordered set of interactions. Two case studies are presented in the paper; the first concerns an example of fund transfer and highlights how the interaction type hierarchy can be applied. The second case study is from the port community system of South Italy and shows how a clearance to enter or leave national waters can be described as “departure from” and “arrival to” interaction types.