Configurable Dialog Generation Using Step Elements and Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enterprise software lacks flexibility and customization in generating user interface dialogs for business processes, limiting its ability to adapt to new and specific business requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating computer-based dialogs by defining process types with step elements and step groups, allowing for configuration at configuration-time and execution at runtime, with optional or mandatory prerequisites and validators, enabling flexible and customizable enterprise software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If enterprise software uses fixed, pre-defined dialog templates, then development time is reduced and reliability is improved, but adaptability to specific business requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dialog is segmented into atomic step elements that can be independently configured. Each step element represents a discrete user interaction task that can be selectively assigned to different steps, allowing fine-grained customization without redesigning the entire dialog structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialog configuration is made dynamic through executable code that defines the order and grouping of step elements. The system transitions from static templates to dynamic arrangements where step elements can be reordered, grouped, and assigned based on specific business process requirements.
2Ease of operation
If business experts configure dialogs without extensive software engineering expertise, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision (dialog generation accuracy) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service capabilities through visual configuration interfaces that allow business experts to define dialog structures without requiring programming expertise. The executable code automatically generates the runtime implementation based on the configured step elements and their relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary layer of executable code translates high-level business process definitions into runtime dialog implementations. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of dialog generation from business experts while ensuring accurate implementation through automated code execution.
3Reliability
If step elements are assigned to specific steps with defined order, then dialog execution reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The order and grouping of step elements are defined in advance during configuration time through executable code. This preliminary arrangement ensures that steps execute in the correct sequence and that dependencies between steps are established before runtime execution begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows flexible configuration of step element assignments and ordering through parameter changes in the executable code. Different business processes can be achieved by modifying these parameters without changing the fundamental dialog structure or requiring complex reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method of generating a computer-based dialog process includes receiving, in a computer system, a process type for creating a process. The process type includes (i) step elements each corresponding to a user-interaction task in the process, and (ii) step groups each including one or more of the step elements, wherein the process type defines an order of the step groups. The method includes receiving executable code for the process in a configuration-time context. The executable code (i) specifies that each of the step groups is performed in one or more steps, thereby defining a granularity of the process, and (ii) assigns at least one of the step elements in each step group to each of the one or more steps, thereby defining an order of the step elements in each step group. The method includes generating a runtime implementation of the process using the executable code.