Network process schedule creation system, network process schedule creation method, and program

Abstract

To provide a network process chart creation system configured to set work process groups in which work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously can be executed without any restrictions on the order.SOLUTION: A network process chart creation system includes: a setting receiving unit which receives settings for variable-order work processes which cannot be executed simultaneously while can be executed without any restrictions on the order, out of multiple work processes included in a network process chart; and a process chart creation unit which generates a plurality of overall plans including the overall order of executing the multiple work processes, on the basis of the progress of the work processes, by changing the order of executing the variable-order work processes, selects an overall plan that achieves the earliest completion out of the generated overall plans, and creates a network process chart based on the selected overall plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network process schedule creation system, a network process schedule creation method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional network process schedule creation systems such as Oracle (registered trademark) Primavera and Microsoft Project (registered trademark), when inputting the dependency relationship of the work order, only one pattern can be input. For example, for work processes A to D, when planning to execute them in the order of A to D, only one pattern of plan, namely work process A, work process B, work process C, work process D, can be input. In this case, if the progress of work process A is delayed, in order to adjust the plan while maintaining the work order of A to D, all the processes following work process A will be shifted backward, and a plan will be created in which the completion of the entire process is delayed. However, in reality, it is not always necessary to maintain the order of A to D. For example, it may be possible to change the execution order of the work processes, such as work process C, work process B, work process A, work process D. In the conventional network process schedule creation system, since only one pattern of execution order can be set, it is impossible to create a network process schedule in which the work is performed in the order of work process C, work process B, work process A, work process D without resetting the dependency relationship of work processes A to D.

[0003] As related technologies, Patent Document 1 discloses a production plan determination device that determines a plan for producing a product using a plurality of processing devices. In this production plan determination device, a plurality of production plans are generated, and a production plan with a shorter total production time is selected from among them. Patent Document 2 discloses a work plan creation system that creates a plurality of work plans with the execution order of work processes changed and creates a work plan with the shortest work period. However, neither of the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is a system for generating a network process schedule.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-9435 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-97405 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] Although a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but have no restrictions on the execution order cannot be executed simultaneously, a technique is required to automatically create a network process table that changes the execution order of these work processes so that the completion of all processes is the shortest.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a network process table creation system, a network process table creation method, and a program that can solve the above problems. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] The network process table creation system of the present disclosure includes a setting reception unit that receives a setting of variable-order work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but have no restrictions on the execution order among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table, and a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of all of the plurality of work processes are created by varying the execution order of the variable-order work processes, and the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans is selected, and a process table creation unit that creates a network process table based on the selected overall plan. Then, the setting reception unit further receives a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and the process table creation unit creates, for each of the plurality of partial plans, the overall plan including the partial plan, thereby creating a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans.

[0008] The method for creating a network process table according to the present disclosure includes a step of accepting a setting of variable-order work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table but have no restrictions on the execution order, creating a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of all of the plurality of work processes by varying the execution order of the variable-order work processes, selecting the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and creating a network process table based on the selected overall plan. Then, in the step of receiving the setting, the setting reception unit further receives a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and in the step of creating the network process table, for each of the plurality of partial plans, the overall plan including the partial plan is created, thereby creating a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans.

[0009] The program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to perform a step of accepting a setting of variable-order work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table but have no restrictions on the execution order, creating a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of all of the plurality of work processes by varying the execution order of the variable-order work processes, selecting the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, comprises, in the step of receiving the setting, further receiving a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and in the step of creating the network process table, for each of the plurality of partial plans, creating the overall plan including the partial plan, thereby creating a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the variable-order work processes, and selecting the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans; and creating a network process table based on the selected overall plan.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the above-described network process table creation system, network process table creation method, and program, a flexible network process table that does not depend on the execution order of a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but have no restrictions on the execution order can be created.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the network process table creation system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. And redundant descriptions of those configurations may be omitted.

[0013] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network process table creation system according to each embodiment. As shown in the figure, the network process table creation system includes a setting reception unit 11, a process table creation unit 12, an output unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0014] The setting reception unit 11 receives various settings necessary for creating a network process schedule. For example, the setting reception unit 11 receives settings such as work processes that are work units constituting all processes of a scheduled operation, the dependency relationship of the execution order of a plurality of work processes, man-hours for each work process, a scheduled start time, a scheduled completion time, and actual results for the scheduled start time and the scheduled completion time. Hereinafter, the dependency relationship of the execution order of work processes may be described as a constraint on the execution order of work processes. Generally, in a system for creating a network process schedule, only one pattern (for example, A→B→C→D) can be set for the execution order of work processes A to D. Also, when work processes A to D cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel (including the case where a part of the execution times of work processes A to D overlaps), if no dependency relationship of the execution order is set for work processes A to D, there is a possibility that the system will automatically generate a network process schedule in which work processes A to D are executed simultaneously. To prevent this, the user sets a dummy dependency relationship of one execution order (for example, A→B→C→D) for a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no constraint on the execution order. However, when set in this way, for example, if work process 1, which is a previous process of work process A, is delayed, the start of work process A will be delayed, and accordingly, a network process schedule in which other work processes B to D are also delayed will be created. On the other hand, if work process C, which is not affected by the delay of work process 1, can be executed first and the execution of work process A can be postponed, it may be possible to prevent or mitigate the delay of the entire operation. The setting reception unit 11 enables setting of a plurality of patterns, while a conventional system can only set a constraint on the execution order of one pattern. For example, the setting reception unit 11 explicitly receives settings of a plurality of patterns of the execution order, such as (1) A→B→C→D, (2) A→C→B→D, (3) B→D→C→A, ···, for work processes A to D that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no constraint on the execution order (first embodiment). Alternatively, the setting reception unit 11 receives a setting indicating that work processes A to D are work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no constraint on the execution order (second embodiment, third embodiment).

[0015] The process schedule creation unit 12 creates a network process schedule such that the entire process of the work is completed most quickly based on settings such as the execution order constraints of the work processes received by the setting reception unit 11. For example, for each case where the execution orders of work processes A to D that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no execution order constraints are made different, the process schedule creation unit 12 creates an overall plan that determines the execution order and execution dates of all processes, and calculates the completion time of the entire process for each created overall plan. Then, the process schedule creation unit 12 selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time of the entire process from all the overall plans, and creates a network process schedule related to the selected overall plan.

[0016] The output unit 13 outputs the network process schedule created by the process schedule creation unit 12 to a display device, an electronic file, or the like. The storage unit 14 stores a computer program, data, and various setting information received by the setting reception unit 11 for realizing the creation process of the network process schedule according to the present embodiment.

[0017] <First Embodiment> Next, with reference to FIGS. 2A to 4B, a first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, it is possible to set the execution order of a plurality of patterns for work processes A to D that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. For example, when two execution orders of A→B→C→D and C→B→A→D are possible, the setting reception unit 11 receives the setting of these two execution orders. Refer to the network process table in FIG. 2A. The horizontal axis of the network process table in FIG. 2A indicates time. Each of the rectangular boxes b1 to b8 in FIG. 2A represents a work process, and the numbers and alphabets in the boxes are identifiers of the work processes. For example, box b1 corresponds to work process 1, box b2 corresponds to work process 2, box b3 corresponds to work process A, box b4 corresponds to work process B, box b5 corresponds to work process 3, box b6 corresponds to work process 4, box b7 corresponds to work process C, and box b8 corresponds to work process D. Also, the arrows (links) between the boxes indicate the dependency relationship of the execution order of the work processes. For example, there is no link between box b1 (work process 1) and box b2 (work process 2). This indicates that work process 1 and work process 2 can be executed simultaneously in parallel. A link is set from box b1 and box b2 to box b3 between box b1 (work process 1) and box b2 (work process 2) and box b3 (work process A). This indicates that when work process 1 and work process 2 are completed, the execution of work process A becomes possible. The user starts the network process table creation system 10 and displays a process table in an initial state where nothing is set. Subsequently, based on the execution schedule of each work process, the user arranges the boxes b1 to b8 corresponding to each work process at the desired positions in the network process table, and sets links between boxes b1 to b8 based on the dependency relationship between the work processes. For example, for work processes A to D that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, the user sets a link meaning Finish to Start (work process B can start after work process A is completed) between work process A and work process B, and also sets Finish to Start links between work process B and work process C, and between work process C and work process D (solid arrows).In addition, as a partial plan of another pattern regarding work processes A to D, the user sets Finish to Start links (dashed arrows) between work process C and work process B, work process B and work process A, and work process A and work process D, respectively. In a conventional network process table creation system, only the execution order of one pattern can be set. However, in the first embodiment, multiple pattern execution orders such as the execution order of A→B→C→D (solid arrow) and the execution order of C→B→A→D (dashed arrow) can be set. Note that the execution orders listed here are just examples, and the user may set other patterns such as B→D→A→C, D→C→B→A, etc. For example, the user can set a pattern with a preferable execution order among all the patterns of arranging work processes A to D.

[0018] In this way, by arranging boxes b1 to b8 in the network process table and setting links, the user sets the scheduled start time, scheduled completion time, man-hours, and the dependency of the execution order for work processes 1 to 4 and work processes A to D. The setting reception unit 11 receives these settings and records the setting contents in the storage unit 14. For example, the setting information exemplified in Table 100 and Table 101 of FIG. 2B is recorded in the storage unit 14. In Table 100 of FIG. 2B, regarding the execution order of work processes, (1) work process A can be carried out if work processes 1 and 2 are completed, (2) work process B can be carried out if work processes 3 and 4 are completed, (3) work processes A→work process B→work process C→work process D can be carried out in this order, and (4) work processes C→work process B→work process A→work process D can be carried out in this order. Four dependencies are set. In Table 101 of FIG. 2B, the scheduled start and completion times and man-hours of each work process are set.

[0019] Next, the user inputs the actual work progress into the network process table creation system 10. An example of the work progress is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the work progress when the completion of work process 1 is delayed by two days from the original schedule. When the user inputs the actual work progress, the setting reception unit 11 receives this input and records the progress performance information regarding work process 1 in the storage unit 14. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the process table creation unit 12 creates a network process table that reflects the input progress performance.

[0020] FIG. 4A shows a network process table that reflects the delay of work process 1 for the execution order of A→B→C→D. The process table creation unit 12 adjusts the schedule so as to start work process A after the completion of work process 1, and also adjusts the schedule for other work processes so that the execution order constraints shown in item numbers 1 to 3 of table 100 in FIG. 2B are satisfied.

[0021] FIG. 4B shows a network process table that reflects the delay of work process 1 for the execution order of C→B→A→D. The process table creation unit 12 sets the schedule so as to start work process A after the completion of work process 1, and also adjusts the schedule for other work processes so that the execution order constraints shown in item numbers 1, 2, and 4 of table 100 in FIG. 2B are satisfied. In the case of the execution order of C→B→A→D, since work process C can be started during the delay of work process 1, compared with the case of the execution order of A→B→C→D shown in FIG. 4A, all processes can be completed one day earlier.

[0022] The process table creation unit 12 compares the time when all processes are completed in the case of FIG. 4A with the time when all processes are completed in the case of FIG. 4B, selects the case of FIG. 4B where all processes are completed earlier, and creates a network process table exemplified in FIG. 4B.

[0023] According to the first embodiment as described above, for a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, it is possible to set a plurality of patterns of execution order. As a result, without being limited to a single pattern, it is possible to automatically select the execution order of the work process with the shortest work completion time from among the plurality of patterns and create a network process table.

[0024] <Second Embodiment> Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6B, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, for a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, it is possible to define a setting that these work process groups are a group of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. Further, it is possible to set the execution order between the set group and other work processes. Refer to the network process table in FIG. 5A. Box b9 in the network process table of FIG. 5A corresponds to work process 1, box b10 corresponds to work process 2, box b11 corresponds to work process A, box b12 corresponds to work process 3, box b13 corresponds to work process 4, box b14 corresponds to work process B, and box b15 corresponds to work process C. The user arranges boxes b9 to b15 corresponding to each work process at a desired position in the network process table based on the execution schedule of each work process, and sets links between boxes b9 to b15 based on the dependency relationship between the work processes. For example, the user performs an operation of surrounding work processes A to B, which cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, with a frame g1 indicating that they are work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. This is called group g1. By setting group g1, for work processes A to B included in group g1, without setting their execution order, a setting can be made that has the same meaning as when both patterns of A→B and B→A are set in the first embodiment. Further, the user sets a Finish to Start link between group g1 and work process c. Thereby, it can be defined that work process C can start after both group g1, that is, both work process A and work process B are completed. In a conventional network process table creation system, only one pattern of execution order can be set, but in the second embodiment, by simply grouping work processes A and work process B with frame g1 (for example, performing an operation of surrounding them with a frame), multiple patterns of execution order can be set.

[0025] The user arranges boxes b9 to b15 in the network process schedule, and by setting group g1 and links, sets the planned start time, planned completion time, man-hours, and dependency relationships of execution order for work processes 1 to 4 and work processes A to C. The setting reception unit 11 receives these settings and records the setting contents in the storage unit 14. For example, the setting information illustrated in Tables 102 to 104 of FIG. 5B is recorded in the storage unit 14. In Table 102 of FIG. 5B, regarding the execution order of work processes, (1) Work process A can be carried out if work processes 1 and 2 are completed, (2) Work process B can be carried out if work processes 3 and 4 are completed, and (3) It can be carried out in the order of group g1 → work process C. Three dependency relationships are set. It is set in Table 103 that work processes A and B are included in group g1. In Table 104 of FIG. 5B, the planned start and completion times and man-hours of each work process are set.

[0026] Next, the user inputs the actual work progress into the network process schedule creation system 10. Assume that, as in the first embodiment, it is input that the completion of work process 1 is delayed by 2 days from the original plan. When the user inputs the actual work progress, the setting reception unit 11 receives this input and records the performance information of the progress regarding work process 1 in the storage unit 14 (FIG. 3). Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the process schedule creation unit 12 creates a network process schedule that reflects the input progress performance.

[0027] FIG. 6A shows a network process schedule that reflects the delay of work process 1 when work processes A and B are executed in this order for group g1. The process schedule creation unit 12 adjusts the schedule so that work process A starts after the completion of work process 1, and also adjusts the schedule for other work processes so that the execution order constraints shown in Table 102 of FIG. 5B are satisfied. In the case of this example, all processes are completed on the 10th day.

[0028] Fig. 6B shows a network process table reflecting the delay of process 1 when the processes of group g1 are executed in the order of process B and then process A. The process table creation unit 12 adjusts the schedule so that process A starts after process 1 is completed, and further adjusts the schedule so that process A starts after process B. The process table creation unit 12 also adjusts the schedule for other processes so that the execution order constraints shown in Table 102 of Fig. 5B are satisfied. In this example, all processes are completed on the 9th day. Compared with the example of Fig. 6A, the overall process can be completed one day earlier.

[0029] The process table creation unit 12 compares the completion time of all processes in the case of Fig. 6A with the completion time of all processes in the case of Fig. 6B, selects the case of Fig. 6B, and creates the network process table illustrated in Fig. 6B. In this example, since there are two processes included in group g1, the process table creation unit 12 creates two patterns of overall plans and compares the results. For example, if there are three processes included in group g1, the process table creation unit 12 creates six patterns of overall plans with the three processes rearranged, selects the plan with the shortest completion of all processes from among them, and creates a network process table.

[0030] Thus, according to the second embodiment, a plurality of processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no constraints on the execution order can be set by grouping. Thereby, by changing the execution order of all patterns of the processes included in the set group, calculating the completion time of all processes, and automatically selecting the execution order of the processes with the shortest working period from among a plurality of patterns, a network process table can be created.

[0031] <Third Embodiment> Next, with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7B, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, for work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, instead of grouping them, a setting is made to associate them with each other. For example, when work processes A to D are work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, the user creates links to associate them with each other between work process A and work process B, between work process A and work process C, between work process A and work process D, between work process B and work process C, between work process B and work process D, and between work process C and work process D. Thereby, it can be set that work processes A to D are work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. An example of such a link is shown in FIG. 7A. The work processes corresponding to boxes b9 to b15 in FIG. 7A are the same as those in the second embodiment. Also, the dependency relationships of the execution order in work processes 1 to 4 and work processes A to C are the same as those in the second embodiment. The user arranges boxes b9 to b15 corresponding to each work process at desired positions in the network process table based on the execution schedule of each work process, and sets links between boxes b9 to b15 based on the dependency relationships between work processes. For example, for work processes A to B that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order, the user sets a link L1 (a link marked with an 'x' in the figure) that associates them with each other, indicating that they are work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. By setting this link, for work processes A to B, a setting can be made that has the same meaning as when both patterns A→B and B→A are set in the first embodiment. Also, the user creates Finish to Start links between work process A and work process C and between work process B and work process C respectively. Thereby, it can be defined that work process C can start after both work processes A and B are completed. In a conventional network process table creation system, only one pattern of execution order can be set, but in the third embodiment, by simply making a setting to associate work process A and work process B, multiple patterns of execution order can be set.

[0032] The user arranges boxes b9 to b15 in the network process schedule and sets the links, thereby setting the planned start time, planned completion time, man-hours, and dependency of the execution order for work processes 1 to 4 and work processes A to C. The setting reception unit 11 receives these settings and records the setting contents in the storage unit 14. Although illustration of the setting contents registered in the storage unit 14 is omitted, for example, regarding the execution order of work processes, (1) if work processes 1 and 2 are completed, work process A can be carried out, (2) if work processes 3 and 4 are completed, work process B can be carried out, (3) it can be carried out in the order of work process A → work process B → work process C, (4) it can be carried out in the order of work process B → work process A → work process C. Four such dependency relationships may be set. Alternatively, similar to what was exemplified in the second embodiment, setting information such that the work processes with the associated links are in one group may be recorded.

[0033] Next, the user inputs the actual work progress into the network process schedule creation system 10. Assume that, similar to the first embodiment, it is input that the completion of work process 1 is delayed by two days from the original plan. When the user inputs the actual work progress, the setting reception unit 11 receives this input and records the progress performance information regarding work process 1 in the storage unit 14 (Figure 3). Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the process schedule creation unit 12 creates a network process schedule that reflects the input progress performance.

[0034] Figure 7B shows a network process schedule that reflects the delay of work process 1 when work processes A and B are executed in the order of B → A. The process schedule creation unit 12 adjusts the schedule so that work process A starts after the completion of work process 1, and further adjusts the schedule so that work process A starts after work process B. The process schedule creation unit 12 also adjusts the schedule for other work processes so that the execution order constraints set using the network process schedule exemplified in Figure 7A are satisfied.

[0035] The process schedule creation unit 12 compares the completion times of all processes when executed in the order of B→A (Fig. 7B) and the completion times of all processes when executed in the order of A→B (although not shown in the figure, it has the same schedule as Fig. 6A), selects the case of Fig. 7B where the completion time is earlier, and creates a network process schedule exemplified in Fig. 7B. In this example, since there are two associated work processes, the process schedule creation unit 12 creates two patterns of overall plans and compares the results. For example, when three work processes are associated with each other, the process schedule creation unit 12 creates six patterns of overall plans by rearranging these three work processes, selects the plan with the shortest completion time for all processes from among them, and creates a network process schedule.

[0036] Thus, according to the third embodiment, it can be set by associating a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order with each other. Thereby, by changing the execution order of the work processes included in the set group for all patterns, calculating the completion time of all processes, and automatically selecting the execution order of the work processes with the shortest work period from among a plurality of patterns, a network process schedule can be created. Also, since each work process is associated with each other, the relationship between them is easy to understand and it is expected to have the effect of being difficult to make a setting mistake.

[0037] (Operation) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the creation process of the network process schedule according to the embodiment. The flow of the operation of the network process schedule creation system 10 is shown in FIG. 8. First, the user performs initial settings, such as arranging boxes corresponding to each work process in the network process table. The setting reception unit 11 receives initial settings such as the scheduled start time, scheduled completion time, man-hours, and dependency relationships of the execution order of each work process (step S1). The setting reception unit 11 records and stores the initial settings in the storage unit 14 (such as FIGS. 2B and 5B). The process table creation unit 12 creates a network process table based on the initial settings. The output unit 13 outputs the created network process table (step S2). For example, the output unit 13 outputs the network process table illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 5A, and 7A to the display device. The user can refer to the network process table displayed on the display device and check the work process groups that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order. Next, the user inputs the actual progress of the work. The setting reception unit 11 receives the input actual progress of the work and records it in the storage unit 14 (step S3). The process table creation unit 12 creates an overall plan that determines the execution order and execution time of all work processes that satisfy the execution order constraints of each work process input in the initial settings based on the input actual progress of the work. The overall plan is, for example, a data group that determines the start time and completion time of each work process. Also, when creating the overall plan, the process table creation unit 12 creates a plurality of overall plans by varying the execution order of a plurality of work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously but have no restrictions on the execution order (herein referred to as order-variable work processes), and calculates the completion time of all processes for each of the plurality of created overall plans. Then, the process table creation unit 12 calculates (selects) the overall plan with the earliest completion time (step S4). In other words, the process table creation unit 12 selects the execution order of the order-variable work processes such that the completion time of all processes is the shortest. Next, the process table creation unit 12 creates a network process table corresponding to the selected overall plan. Next, the output unit 13 outputs the network process table when the completion of all processes reflecting the actual progress is the shortest to the display device or the like (step S5). Thereby, regarding the order-variable work processes, their execution order can be flexibly changed, and a network process table with the shortest completion time of all processes can be automatically created.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the network process schedule creation system according to the embodiment. The computer 900 includes a CPU 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, an input / output interface 904, and a communication interface 905. The network process schedule creation system 10 is implemented on the computer 900. And each of the above-described functions is stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The CPU 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 903 and expands it in the main storage device 902, and executes the above processing according to the program. Also, the CPU 901 secures a storage area in the main storage device 902 according to the program. Further, the CPU 901 secures a storage area in the auxiliary storage device 903 for storing data being processed according to the program.

[0039] Note that a program for realizing all or part of the functions of the network process schedule creation system 10 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing by each functional unit. Here, the "computer system" shall include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" shall include a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if it uses a WWW system. Also, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, USB, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Also, when this program is distributed to the computer 900 via a communication line, the computer 900 that has received the distribution may expand the program in the main storage device 902 and execute the above processing. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions, and may further be realizable in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system for realizing the above-described functions.

[0040] As described above, although some embodiments according to the present disclosure have been explained, all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0041] <Appendix> The network process table creation system, network process table creation method, and program described in each embodiment are understood as follows, for example.

[0042] (1) The network process table creation system 10 according to the first aspect receives, from among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table (for example, work processes 1 to 4 and work processes A to D or A to C), a setting reception unit 11 that accepts the setting of variable-order work processes that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but have no restrictions on the execution order (work processes A to D in the first embodiment, work processes A to B in the second and third embodiments), and creates a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of the entire plurality of the work processes by varying the execution order of the variable-order work processes, selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and a process table creation unit that creates a network process table based on the selected overall plan.

[0043] By setting variable-order work processes, it is possible to create an overall plan that does not depend on a specific pattern regarding the execution order of the variable-order work processes, select the overall plan with the earliest completion time for all processes from among them, and create a network process table.

[0044] (2) The network process schedule creation system according to the second aspect is the network process schedule creation system of (1), wherein the setting reception unit receives a plurality of settings of partial plans that determine the execution order of a plurality of the variable-order work processes, the process schedule creation unit creates the overall plan including any one of the plurality of partial plans, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans.

[0045] Thereby, it is possible to set a preferable execution order pattern for the variable-order work process, and select the overall plan with the earliest completion time from among them. This is suitable when there are actually more preferable work orders even without restrictions on the execution order.

[0046] (3) The network process schedule creation system according to the third aspect is the network process schedule creation system of (1), wherein the setting reception unit receives a setting for designating a group of the work processes to be the variable-order work processes, the process schedule creation unit creates a plurality of overall plans with different orders of the work processes included in the group, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans.

[0047] Thereby, it is possible to easily set the variable-order work process without much effort.

[0048] (4) The network process schedule creation system according to the fourth aspect is the network process schedule creation system of (1), wherein the setting reception unit receives a setting for associating two of the work processes to be the variable-order work processes, the process schedule creation unit creates a plurality of overall plans with different orders of the associated work processes, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans.

[0049] Thereby, it is possible to set the variable-order work process while checking one by one.

[0050] (5) The method for creating a network process table according to the fifth aspect includes a step of receiving a setting of an order-variable work process that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but has no restriction on the execution order among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table, creating a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of the entire plurality of the work processes by varying the execution order of the order-variable work process, selecting the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and creating a network process table based on the selected overall plan.

[0051] (6) The program according to the sixth aspect causes a computer to execute a step of receiving a setting of an order-variable work process that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but has no restriction on the execution order among a plurality of work processes included in the network process table, creating a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of the entire plurality of the work processes by varying the execution order of the order-variable work process, selecting the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and creating a network process table based on the selected overall plan.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 10 ··· Network process table creation system 11 ··· Setting reception unit 12 ··· Process table creation unit 13 ··· Output unit 14 ··· Storage unit 900 ··· Computer 901 ··· CPU 902 ··· Main memory device 903 ··· Auxiliary storage device 904 ··· Input / output interface 905 ··· Communication interface

Claims

1. Among a plurality of work processes included in a network process table, a setting reception unit that receives a setting of an order-variable work process that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but has no restrictions on the execution order, A process table creation unit that creates a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of the entire plurality of the work processes by varying the execution order of the order-variable work process, selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and creates a network process table based on the selected overall plan, having, The setting reception unit further receives a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process, For each of the plurality of the partial plans, the process table creation unit creates a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process by creating an overall plan including the partial plan, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans, A network process table creation system.

2. A network process table creation method executed by a computer, A step in which the computer receives a setting of an order-variable work process that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but has no restrictions on the execution order among a plurality of work processes included in a network process table, A step in which the computer creates a plurality of overall plans that determine the execution order of the entire plurality of the work processes by varying the execution order of the order-variable work process, selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and creates a network process table based on the selected overall plan, having, In the step of receiving the setting, the computer further receives a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process, In the step of creating the network process table, for each of the plurality of the partial plans, the computer creates a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process by creating an overall plan including the partial plan, and selects the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans, A network process table creation method.

3. On the computer, A step of receiving a setting of an order-variable work process that cannot be executed simultaneously in parallel but has no restrictions on the execution order among a plurality of work processes included in a network process table, Create a plurality of overall plans that define the execution order of all of the plurality of work processes, create a plurality of them by varying the execution order of the order-variable work process, select the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the plurality of created overall plans, and create a network process table based on the selected overall plan; having; In the step of receiving the setting, further receive a plurality of settings of partial plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process; In the step of creating the network process table, for each of the plurality of partial plans, create a plurality of overall plans with different execution orders of the order-variable work process by creating the overall plan including the partial plan, and select the overall plan with the earliest completion time among the overall plans; A program to execute.

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