Dynamic Directed Graph Workflow Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic workflow management systems face challenges such as manual intervention, complex code bases, inaccuracies, and limited applicability due to oversimplifications, which hinder flexibility and processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic directed graph is employed to electronically manage workflows, featuring modular nodes with executable code for data collection and retention, allowing for dynamic updates and temporal navigation, enabling improved flexibility and processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual intervention is used in workflow management, then flexibility is maintained, but productivity decreases due to large amounts of manual work

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow management system transitions from static manual processes to dynamic automated execution. The system automatically executes workflow definitions when triggered by events, dynamically allocating resources and adjusting execution based on runtime conditions while maintaining the ability to modify workflow definitions without code changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical workflow execution is replaced by an automated electronic system. The system uses event triggers and automated rule evaluation to execute workflows, substituting human manual intervention with automated computing processes that maintain flexibility through configurable workflow definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated workflow systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to complex code bases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidcode base complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow system is segmented into distinct components: workflow definitions (configurable data), event triggers, execution engine, and resource management. This segmentation allows each component to be independently managed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of writing custom code for each workflow, the system uses configurable workflow definition templates that can be copied and adapted. Workflow definitions are stored as data structures rather than code, allowing replication and modification without increasing code base complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If workflow definitions are oversimplified to improve ease of use, then ease of operation increases, but measurement precision decreases due to inaccuracies in workflow representation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidworkflow accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows workflow definitions to be modified by changing parameters in configurable data structures rather than altering code. This enables precise representation of complex workflows while maintaining ease of operation through parameter-based configuration and validation rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If historical data is retained for all workflow elements, then reliability improves for temporal navigation, but loss of substance increases due to memory allocation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal navigation capabilityVSAvoidmemory allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Historical data retention is applied selectively rather than uniformly. The system retains historical values for workflow elements that require temporal navigation while using efficient storage for elements that do not require history, optimizing memory allocation based on local requirements of each workflow component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10909484B2Dynamic directed graph workflows

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A set of nodes are organized into a graph to represent a workflow to enable the dynamic and directed management of that workflow in a decentralized system. Each node maintains a value necessary for execution of the workflow, and includes code to populate that value. A workflow agent manages the population of the values according to an identified dependency structure for the nodes relative to the workflow. As changes are made to the workflow, the workflow agent ensures that values and dependencies of the nodes stay up-to-date. Each node retains historic values, which enables the workflow agent to query several states of the workflow throughout time as changes are made thereto. The dynamic management of the nodes improves the responsiveness of the system to changes, thereby improving computational efficiency.