An Automatic Deadlock Detection Method with Extension of Deadlock Pattern for Workflow Models

Abstract

A workflow model is used to describe business processes when workflow management system is constructed. In the workflow management system, “deadlocks” means the interruption of workflow caused by mistakes of workflow model design. This paper proposes a method which detects all deadlocks in workflow model. In order to find out all deadlocks, the deadlock patterns which express deadlock by combinations of nodes are adopted. However, there is the problem that some deadlocks cannot be detected because of endless loop. In order to cope with the problem we define expanded deadlock pattern which can be applyed to the case in which former deadlock patterns cannot find out deadlocks.