Business process automation

Abstract

A system for business processes within and between organizations and/or individuals may be automated using standards-based, service-oriented business process automation architectures based on XML and Web Services Standards is described. An execution framework for the business processes is also described. Further aspects include a decomposition methodology for deconstructing business process specifications into business flows, business rules and business states. The business flows (FIG.), rules (FIG.) and states (FIG.) may be defined in declarative languages and include the interaction, cooperation and coordination between the flow, rules and state engines, and the execution model for business processes within the framework.