A system for improved scheduling of resources within a
Workflow-Management-System or a computer system with comparable
functionality (WFMS). Based on a new resource specification comprised
within a process model and associated with an activity, the WFMS
determines the resources required for execution of said activity. The
invention further schedules a request for allocation of said resources on
behalf and in advance of starting execution of said activity. This
approach reduces the execution time of the activity as all resources
required by the activity will be available when execution of the activity
begins; the activity does not have to wait for these resources. Moreover,
a WFMS knowing the required resources of the activities it is
administrating is able to schedule resource requests to avoid resource
conflicts between the activities.