Linear Scenario Navigation Pane for ERP Process Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current business software solutions, such as ERP systems, lack a convenient mechanism for users to navigate through multiple feature sets guided by process steps, leading to user disorientation and difficulty in resolving issues within specific business processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that links transactional data to a scenario model, displaying a linearized representation of business processes in a user interface with a scenario navigation pane and a work pane, allowing users to intuitively navigate and visualize business scenarios, including intersecting processes and prerequisite actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a feature-rich business software system is provided, then functionality and capability are improved, but user navigation and orientation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple panes: a scenario navigation pane displaying linearized business process steps, a work pane for executing tasks, and a status pane for monitoring progress. This segmentation allows users to navigate complex business processes through a simplified linear view while accessing comprehensive system functionality through the work pane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive business process features are included, then system capability is improved, but user orientation and guidance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A scenario model acts as an intermediary between the comprehensive business software system and the user. The scenario model linearizes complex business processes into sequential steps with visual indicators showing current position, completed steps, and pending actions. This intermediary preserves all system capability while providing clear user orientation through the simplified linear representation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intersecting business scenarios are supported, then system versatility is improved, but complexity of navigation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The scenario navigation pane dynamically adapts its display based on the current business scenario being executed. When multiple intersecting scenarios are involved, the system dynamically adjusts the linearized representation to show only the relevant steps for the current scenario context, while maintaining the ability to switch between scenarios. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility while managing navigation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Transactional data associated with a specific instance of a business scenario that includes an intersecting process feature requiring prerequisite action by a prerequisite process feature that is part of another business scenario can be linked to a scenario model providing a linearized representation in which other process features of the business scenario, the intersecting process feature, and the prerequisite process feature are arranged in a linear sequence. A navigation pane including a linear progression of user interface elements representing the linear sequence can be concurrently displayed with a work pane including other user interface elements corresponding to functionality provided by business software architecture features related to a currently selected process feature. The navigation pane display can expand at a selected user interface element to display additional user interface elements corresponding to process features involved in completion of the process feature corresponding to the selected first user interface element.