The Action Technologies' workflow diagram for this process illustrates the myriad of decisions involved in processing a simple loan. The typical approach is to simply shout at those agents that are not performing the tasks on-time. Some type of control mechanism is needed to coordinate the processing of these loan requests, recognizing that the agents involved in the process are also involved in other service delivery processes within the organization. Precisely this type of control scheme is the focus of our research. Conclusions Workflow systems for processes such as credit approval and manufacturing job shops need to combine flexibility with scheduling and optimization.
Markets offer an efficient mechanism for such workflow scheduling.
They are naturally decentralized, distributed and flexible, and they support the inclusion of humans in the scheduling process by allowing asynchronous communication, encouraging specification of utilities, and being incentive compatible. We have taking the first steps toward establishing a market-based workflow system, and are testing in on a small business loan approval process. S.H. Clearwater, Ed. Stanford University Dept. of Computer Science Tech. Proceedings of the National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, pages 401-407, AAAI, August 1994.