Markov Decision Processes for Optimizing Human Workflows

Enrique D. Espinosa (), Juan Frausto () and Ernesto J. Rivera ()
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Enrique D. Espinosa: University of Waterloo, 295 Hagey Blvd., Suite 240, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 6R5
Juan Frausto: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Cuernavaca, Autopista del Sol km. 104, Colonia Real del Puente, Xochitepec, Morelos, México, 62790
Ernesto J. Rivera: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Cuernavaca, Autopista del Sol km. 104, Colonia Real del Puente, Xochitepec, Morelos, México, 62790

Service Science, 2010, vol. 2, issue 4, 245-269

Abstract: Workflows are used by domain analysts as a tool to describe the synchronization of activities in a business domain. The Business Process Management Notation (BPMN) has become a standard to characterize Workflows. Nevertheless, BPMN alone does not provide tools for aligning business models and IT architectures. Currently, there is not a method which promotes making decisions based on a technique with a probabilistic basis for providing financial value to a [human] workflow. If such method could exist, it would help the domain analyst to understand what sections of the business and IT architecture could be re-engineered for adding value. Markov Decision Processes (MDP's) can be the centerpiece of such a method. MDP's are introduced as a means to pinpoint assets to be designed, managed, and continuously improved, while enhancing business agility and operational performance. [ Service Science , ISSN 2164-3962 (print), ISSN 2164-3970 (online), was published by Services Science Global (SSG) from 2009 to 2011 as issues under ISBN 978-1-4276-2090-3.]

Keywords: workflow; human workflow; optimization; business process; BPMN; Markov; decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orserv:v:2:y:2010:i:4:p:245-269

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