Modelling a product based workflow system in CPN tools

A new approach to workflow process (re)design is the use of Product Based Workflow Design (PBWD) theory. This theory takes the workflow product as the central concept (instead of the workflow process) and provides a product data model of the structure of information processing in the workflow process. In this paper we introduce a prototype for applying PBWD constructed using CPN Tools. The goal of this prototype is to provide a tool for ‘experimentation’ with the product data model. The CPN model supports the step-by-step calculation and processing of data in the workflow process based on several strategies and provides insight in the way PBWD works. Finally, the prototype is evaluated with on the one hand a state space analysis to assess the correctness of the model and on the other hand a simulation of a sample product data model.