Design of Collaborative Workflow System Based on UML State Model

Collaborative workflow technology aims to support collaborative group work. So, it is an effective way to build CSCW systems. Compared with other types of workflow, collaborative workflow is relatively simple in business logic, but much more complex in business process. Therefore, designs for general workflow system often don't fit it well. In this paper, the features of collaborative workflow are analyzed; the techniques and strategies for modeling and implementing collaborative workflow system based on UML state model are described. The techniques and strategies are instanced by the design of a Graduation Subject Selection Management System. The result shows that state machine model, component-based lightweight design, and "state" design pattern can simplify the development of such kind of workflow systems, and improve its efficiency.