Workflow management systems provide support for structured processes and help to follow the defined business process. Although their importance has been proved by various applications over the last decades they are not appropriate for all use cases. Such workflow management systems are only applicable for domains where the process is well structured and static. In various domains it is essential that the workflow is adapted to the current situation. In this case the traditional workflow systems are not applicable. A flexible approach is required.

Refinement of specifications is inherently connected to the development of information systems. Throughout the development process models are refined towards the implementation. Especially the coherence of the models developed throughout this process is important. Concepts for adaptation has been developed in the area of functions. The application of this methodology in combination with the abstraction of workflows based on the concept of word fields allows to solve the adaptation problem for workflow applications.

This concept of generic workflows addresses the required adaptation and provides mechanisms to describe generic workflows and refine them during runtime to specific workflows adapted to the current situation. The chosen conservative approach is based on proven methods and provides a robust approach for workflow adaptation. And so it allows us to handle the highly dynamic characteristics of disaster management.