YAWL

YAWL is an executable language that is able to express business flow based on workflow patterns. It is pronounced letter by letter (Y-A-W-L) or to rhyme with "shawl." YAWL is an acronym for "Yet Another Workflow Language." As a common noun, "yawl" refers to a two-masted sailing craft that can be carried on a ship. As a workflow language, it is often compared to BPEL and EPC.

Summary
As the acronym for "Yet Another Workflow Language," YAWL was accepted because it is the modeling language for open source workflow systems. The licensing format is provided by LGPL.

Most workflow systems are expensive to procure and using the system often requires consultants with a high degree of specialization which adds to the high cost, but with the license format and flexible functions of YAWL, the options for building a low-priced workflow systems have been increased.

By using the YAWL functions, the following is possible:


 * It is possible to define workflows and to capture flow between tasks by means of YAWL.
 * The interface is accessible through the web and it is possible to expand existing applications systems by developing plugins.
 * YAWL comes with a graphical editor making it possible to detect errors and to verify graphical edits and edited workflow.

The following are special features of YAWL.


 * It is based on older control flow patterns.
 * It expands Petri nets.
 * It formalizes control flows.
 * It is equipped with a detection function.
 * It supports dynamic workflow.
 * Handling is exceptional.

History



 * Released in November 2003
 * Made open source in May 2004
 * New YAWL launches in 2007
 * Ver. 2.0 release planned for mid-2008

Related Articles

 * Workflow

Reference Documents

 * Wikipedia: YAWL
 * Hatena: YAWL
 * YAWL Foundation
 * Foundation of Process-Aware Information Systems
 * Getting Started with YAWL