A running instance of a process.

A process diagram describes a generic sequence of events. An instance describes an actual process which includes data, real actions, and specific decisions. Workflow systems and simulation systems both keep track of the data from the execution of specific process instances in order to determine things like how long the process actually takes, who handled a specific instance or how much it cost. In the case of simulation systems, someone has to supply information about a set of actual instances.

Represents an instance of a process definition which includes the manual process and the automated workflow process.

A unique number that identifies each process request. This value is automatically incremented and assigned to each requested process when the process is submitted to run.

a singular instantiation of a process that is uniquely identifiable and about which information can be gathered in a manner that provides repeatable ratings

The number the system assigns each job that runs in background processing.