Linked Workflow Control Items for Cross-Workflow Collaboration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated workflow systems face inefficiencies when multiple workflows are involved, particularly when items in one workflow are related to items in another workflow, requiring separate and distinct workflows without automation between them.
Innovation Solution
An automated workflow system that links distinct workflows by incorporating control items and collaboration feeds, allowing seamless data transfer and action item management across workflows, enabling efficient completion and collaboration among users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate and distinct workflows are provided to different groups of users, then workflow management is simplified for each group, but efficiency is reduced when items in one workflow are related to items in another workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate workflows into a unified workflow system where related workflows are linked together. Users can access and manage multiple workflows through a single interface, and the system automatically coordinates actions across linked workflows, eliminating the need to switch between separate applications while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal workflow platform that can handle multiple different workflow types and user groups within a single system. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including workflow creation, execution, linking, and coordination, allowing it to serve diverse workflow needs without requiring separate specialized systems for each workflow group.
2Device complexity
If manual data transfer is used between separate workflows, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary workflow management system that automatically transfers data between linked workflows. This intermediary layer handles data extraction, transformation, and injection between workflows without requiring manual intervention, while the system maintains manageable complexity through automated routing and coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring workflow links and data mapping relationships between connected workflows. Once configured, the system automatically performs data transfer and coordination actions when workflows are executed, eliminating the need for manual data transfer setup and execution while maintaining system simplicity.
3Reliability
If separate applications are used for different workflows, then workflow independence is maintained, but collaboration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple workflow applications into a unified platform while preserving workflow independence through logical separation. Workflows remain as distinct, independently configurable entities, but the unified system enables seamless collaboration by allowing users to access and coordinate multiple workflows through a single interface with automated synchronization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated workflow system may include at least one memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may include automatically communicating first workflow presentation instructions to a first user device. The first workflow presentation instructions may be configured to present a first workflow to a first user. The first workflow may include a first sequence of actionable items and a control item. The control item may have a link to a second workflow. The operations may include automatically communicating second workflow presentation instructions to a second user device. The second workflow presentation instructions may be configured to present the second workflow to a second user. The second workflow may include a second sequence of actionable items.