Dynamic Graphical Workflow Management in the Hub
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Abstract
A graphical workflow management system is being developed to meet multiple research community needs, such as the coordination of experiments and simulations, data capture using consistent formats, avoidance of data loss, scheduling of resources, and traceability of the overall research process. The workflow management system allows research processes to be created and sequenced using a drag-and-drop flowchart interface. The interface includes the ability to assign processes to specific researchers, specify the computational or experimental resources to use, define inputs and outputs, and set other properties as needed. All workflow entities – including sub-workflows, processes, decisions, and events – can be saved as templates for reuse.
The workflow management system is being developed using JavaScript to control client-side interactions, and RESTful web services to transfer data to and from a data store. The RESTful services are delivered via a Common Service Bus that is being developed to unite disparate systems into an Integrated Collaborative Environment. Other services made available by the Common Service Bus are consumed by the workflow system in a manner that is transparent to the end user. For example, persistent identifiers (PIDs) are generated for workflow elements using a PID service, and authentication via OpenID Connect is handled via yet another service.
While the web service endpoints are potentially callable from any platform, development efforts are specifically focused on implementing a component/plug-in to tie the workflow management system to HUB projects. A demonstration of the HUB workflow component will be conducted, in which the component will be used to replace spreadsheet-based experimental monitors.
Bio
Jason Thiese
Jason Thiese is a software developer and statistician working with the Integrated Collaborative Environment (ICE) development team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Within ICE, Jason has contributed to the development of a graphical workflow system, forms, and keyword metatags. He is also a developer of other software, such as an order management and accounting system for government purchase cards. In a different role, Jason has performed statistical design and analysis at AFRL, and has coauthored two papers investigating the influence of process cycle on geometry and properties of non-autoclave polymer matrix composites. Jason received a BS in Statistics and an MS in Applied Statistics from Wright State University.
Sponsored by
HUBzero Foundation
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