Translating software engineering coupling and cohesion metrics in the field of workflow schemas

1. Cohesion and Coupling
Metrics for Workflow
Process Design
Polo Regionale di Como of the Politecnico di Milano
Workgroup and Workflow Management Systems
Giorgio Sironi
piccoloprincipeazzurro@gmail.com
- presentation given on December 20th, 2010 -
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2. In search of a metric
Number(s) to measure the “quality”
of a workflow schema
Robustness
Clarity
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3. Let's start from a class
public class Car
{
private Engine engine;
private Wheel[] wheels;
private Tire[] tires;
private Person driver;
}
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4. Cohesion
engine wheels tires driver
accelerate() x x
brake() x x
checkUp() x x x
ignite() x x
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5. Coupling
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6. From programs to
workflows
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7. Information elements
structure
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8. Partitioning into activities
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9. Mathematical treatment
Set D of information elements
Operations O = {(p, cs) ∈ D × P(D)}
Activities A ⊆ O
W = {A1, A2, A3, …} (partition)
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10. Metrics definition (1/3)
Relation cohesion
Information cohesion
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11. Metrics definition (2/3)
Activity cohesion
Workflow cohesion
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12. Metrics definition (3/3)
Coupling
Coupling/cohesion ratio
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13. Final results
An objective metric to compare
different designs
Limitations: resource allocation, timing
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14. References
[1] W. Stevens, G. Myers, L.
Constantine, "Structured Design",
IBM Systems Journal
[2] Reijers, H.A., and Vanderfeesten,
I.T.P. Cohesion and Coupling Metrics for
Workflow Process Design.
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15. Thanks for your time
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