Column-Based Process Editor for Business Process Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-intuitive or complicated design-time tools in business process management systems lead to inefficiencies during software development and result in a slower time to production, hindering the ability of line-of-business managers and process designers to effectively build and customize business process software applications.
Innovation Solution
A column-based process editor with a graphical user interface is introduced, allowing users to model and display business processes in a multi-column format, enabling intuitive editing and configuration of dynamic processes, including the addition of sequential stage markers and condition binding, thereby simplifying the development process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-intuitive or complicated design-time tool is used, then the system can provide comprehensive business process management capabilities, but the development efficiency decreases and time to production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process editor interface is segmented into multiple columns, each representing a distinct phase or aspect of process design (e.g., process definition, task configuration, condition setting). This segmentation allows users to interact with and configure specific process elements independently, reducing the cognitive load and improving editing efficiency while maintaining comprehensive BPM capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear or hierarchical process modeling interfaces to a multi-column tabular layout. This dimensional change organizes process information across multiple axes simultaneously, enabling users to view and edit process stages, tasks, and conditions in a more intuitive spatial arrangement that improves productivity without sacrificing functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a non-intuitive or complicated design-time tool is used, then the system can provide comprehensive business process management capabilities, but the time to production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column-based interface pre-organizes process elements into predefined columns with structured templates for common process patterns. Users can leverage these pre-configured structures and drag-and-drop elements to rapidly build processes without time-consuming manual configuration, significantly reducing time to production while preserving full BPM capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the process editor into specialized columns for different process aspects, the interface enables parallel configuration of multiple process elements simultaneously. This reduces sequential editing time and accelerates the overall development cycle without compromising the comprehensiveness of process management features.
3Ease of operation
If a column-based format is used to model and display processes, then the editing becomes more intuitive and efficient, but the interface structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each column in the process editor is designed as a multi-functional unit that can display, edit, and configure multiple types of process information (tasks, conditions, timing, resources) within a unified structure. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized interfaces, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining intuitive operation through the consistent column-based pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein are systems and methods for use with business process management (BPM) systems or environments, including software development tools for developing software applications that are associated with business processes (business process software applications, business process applications, process applications, or processes). In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a column-based process editor and graphical user interface, that can utilize a column-based format to model and display a process, for example a dynamic process, which can subsequently be deployed and executed within the system or environment. For example, the column-based process editor and graphical user interface can include various graphical elements to indicate configured properties of artifacts of a dynamic process. Interaction with the graphical elements enables users to review, edit, and/or remove particular properties associated with the dynamic process.