Overview
Topic status: In progress
Overview
Gartner surveys over the past five years have shown business process management to be the number one concern of senior executives. In a BPM project, real benefits are typically realised by taking the business process models produced and using these as the blueprint for subsequent automation. A so-called workflow, an executable process model, contains descriptions of what tasks need to be performed, when they need to be performed, by whom they need to be performed, and what information they need and what information they produce.
Workflow systems also provide the ability to monitor processes and examine various properties of these processes. However, workflow systems are typically neither cost-aware nor is the execution of a workflow model cost-driven. The ability to understand the true origins of costs involved in business operations, and to be informed about this on a real-time basis, would allow organisations to increase its profitability and to recognise early on the need for reorganisation of its practices.
We propose a novel holistic approach in managing the cost of business operations in a timely and context-aware manner. The availability of a cost-aware workflow management system which provides detailed, real-time cost information together with sophisticated prediction capabilities will not only allow organisations to make informed operational and strategic decisions but also allow it to incrementally improve their situation over time. This will enable businesses to make operational and strategic decisions with confidence based on accurate and timely cost information about its operations.
The project will deliver a range of techniques, tools and practices for recognising, predicting and managing costs in executable business processes. This VRES project forms a part of a larger research initiative on Cost-Aware Business Process Management with the Business Process Management research group. This research initiative focuses on bringing together insights from business and workflow communities to enable cost-driven process management within a workflow environment. Two positions are available for highly motivated students to join the researchers in the BPM research group as part of this initiative.
Research activities
The student will work on the design and an implementation of the cost editor component within the open-source workflow system, YAWL.
For more information about YAWL, visit the YAWL Foundation website.
Prior Knowledge/skills
The student will have an opportunity to apply his/her technical skills in the areas of Java programming and web applications development (JSP, XML). Prior knowledge of the following topics is necessary: business process management, workflow systems, and YAWL.
Expected outcomes
Detailed architecture design and a first implementation of the cost editor component in the YAWL environment.
Duration of project
8 weeks (timing can be flexible between Nov 2011 and Feb 2012)
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Moe Wynn
