KITFramework: A Framework Architecture For Supporting Knowledge-Intensive Processes

Abstract

Automating and supporting business processes is still a challenge as they are usually knowledge-intensive, can only be planned to a limited degree, but are compliance relevant. For well-structured processes workflow management systems are mainly useful and efficient. However, they lack flexibility in knowledge-intensive process parts. To cope with increasing changes, uncertainty and unpredictability they have to be more flexible and adaptable. Several approaches exist focusing on a specific problem (e.g. flexible resource allocation, consistency checking, context-relevant decision support and variable process planning) to support knowledge-intensive processes. To combine the advantages of well-structured processes with the demand of adaptivity and flexibility the paper introduces a framework combining the benefits of the workflow management systems and service-oriented architecture (SOA).