MD_WFN: Multi-dimensional workflow model based on Petri-net

The elements for constituting a complete workflow model should include control, data, resource, and time factors. But most of the current workflow modeling methods only bias towards one or some of the elements, and they all lack the capacity to describe a workflow by comprehensive considering all the elements. For solving this problem, a new method based on Petri-net named as multi-dimensional workflow model (MD_WFM) is produced in the paper. Though classifying the places and the transitions, the MD_WFM not only achieve the unification of control flow, data flow, resource flow in the workflow model, but also improve the workflow model description capacity and the model analysis capability. The graphical expression for the MD_WFM is put forward and the MD_WFM patterns are discussed in the paper, which make the workflow modeling maneuverable and easy.