Workflow management method and apparatus

Abstract

A workflow management method in a workflow system including a workflow server and tables for holding processes includes storing in a table a plurality of definition information sets for individually defining workflows for a plurality of processes included in a job for processing a plurality of works to be circulated, wherein the plurality of definition information sets each have a process ID, a process name, and a user role ID, and at least one of the plurality of definition information set has predetermined data for connecting processing defined by another definition information set in the user role ID, and storing in a table a work management information set created for each of the plurality of works subjected to processing by the job, the work management information set having a process ID, a process name, a user role ID, and a flag representative of whether or not workflow processing corresponding to processing of each work has been terminated. The process ID has a process ID indicative of the location of the other definition information set when the user role ID includes the first predetermined code indicating that the workflow processing is defined in the other definition information set. After copying and updating one of the plurality of stored definition information sets, the one definition information set can be stored in the table. A table can be provided for storing therein a process management information set having a utilization permission flag indicative of whether or not the plurality of definition information sets, stored in the table, may be copied. A table can also be provided for storing a suspended work information set including an ID of one of the plurality of works to be circulated, and a workflow ID indicative of a workflow in which the one work should be suspended.