The Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC’s) Reference Model defines a generalized target architecture driving the development of most production workflow solutions, whether or not their vendors plan to implement all the WfMC’s standard technical interfaces. The goal of the model is to provide a standard for interoperability among the major workflow subsystems. It is hoped that over time, commercial products will include APIs which adhere to these standards.

Figure 4. The Workflow Management Coalition Reference Model

More in-depth information about this model can be found at http://www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/project/wfmc/DOCS/refmodel/rmv1-16.html. The model focuses on the five interfaces between the workflow enactment service and the tools.

Microsoft and MAPI Microsoft’s MAPI Workflow Framework is largely complementary to WfMC’s model. It was created in consultation with the WfMC and other vendors. It defines APIs, message classes, and conversational dynamics needed for client applications to request and track workflow-engine services in the MAPI messaging environment.