Decentralized control structures for distributed workflow applications

This contribution provides an overview about decentralized control in Workf low Management Systems (WfMS) and introduces BPAFrame (Framework for Busine ss Process Automation), a CORBA-based decentralized framework for developme nt and runtime-support of workflows. Several possibilities of configuration and deployment of such an approach are discussed. Performance analysis on the BPAFrame prototype gives an opportunity to prove the influence of confi guration and the impact of distribution of server processes. It will be sho wn that decentralized and generic components provide for current requiremen ts on software systems like WfMS a convenient future adoption and integrati on into existing software infrastructures.