Pattern 19 (Distribution on Enablement)

FLASH animation of Distribution on Enablement pattern

Description

The ability to advertise and distribute a work items to resources at the moment that the task to which it corresponds is enabled for execution.

Example

The Delivery Round work item is allocated to a Paper boy at the time it is required to commence.

Motivation

The simultaneous advertisement and distribution of a work item when the task to which it corresponds is enabled constitutes the simplest approach to work distribution from a resource perspective as it ensures that any work item that a resource receives in its work list can be immediately acted upon.

Overview

Distribution of a work item at the time that the task to which it corresponds is enabled for execution is effectively the standard mechanism for work distribution in a PAIS. The enablement of a task serves as the trigger for the system to create an associated work item and make it available to resources for execution. This may occur indirectly by placing it on the work lists for individual resources or on the global work list or directly by allocating it to a specific resource for immediate execution.

Context

There are no specific context conditions associated with this pattern.

Implementation

All of the offerings examined directly support this approach to work distribution in some form.

Issues

None observed.

Solutions

N/A.

Evaluation Criteria

An offering achieves full support if it satisfies the description for the pattern.

Product Evaluation

To achieve a + rating (direct support) or a +/- rating (partial support) the product should satisfy the corresponding evaluation criterion of the pattern. Otherwise a - rating (no support) is assigned.

Summary of Evaluation