Master Data Hub for Automated Workflow Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated digital workflow applications for new product introduction lack integration of inter-departmental processes, 3rd party data integration, and industry-specific features, leading to reliance on manual processes and poor data quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing digital workflows that includes identifying tasks, determining project types, generating user interfaces, identifying trigger criteria, and activating tasks automatically upon data satisfaction of trigger criteria, leveraging a master data hub and industry-specific rules for improved automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automated digital workflow applications focus exclusively on R&D processes, then R&D automation is improved, but inter-departmental processes and industry-specific features are not covered, requiring manual interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a master data hub that serves multiple functions: storing project type definitions, industry-specific rules, task templates, and trigger criteria. This single centralized repository enables the workflow application to adapt to R&D, inter-departmental, and industry-specific processes without requiring separate automation systems for each process type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities where project types, tasks, and trigger criteria can be defined and modified through user interfaces. This allows the automation system to adapt to different process requirements (R&D, inter-departmental, industry-specific) by loading appropriate configurations from the master data hub, making the system versatile without sacrificing automation extent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing workflow applications try to cover a broad range of industries with generic processes, then industry coverage is improved, but processes become error-prone and require manual interventions due to lack of industry-specific features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements industry-specific rules and task configurations stored in the master data hub that are tailored to specific industry requirements. Instead of using generic processes for all industries, the system loads and applies industry-specific definitions, ensuring that each industry receives customized, accurate process automation while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-defines project types, tasks, and trigger criteria in the master data hub before workflow execution. By preparing industry-specific configurations in advance, the system ensures that when a workflow is initiated, the correct industry-specific rules are already in place, eliminating errors that would arise from generic processes and reducing manual intervention requirements.
3Ease of operation
If manual processes are used for data collection and task triggering, then flexibility is maintained, but data quality and accuracy deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated task triggering based on trigger criteria defined in the master data hub. The system automatically monitors data sources, evaluates trigger conditions, and initiates tasks without human intervention. This self-service automation maintains operational flexibility through configurable triggers while significantly improving data accuracy by eliminating manual data collection and task initiation errors.
4Extent of automation
If comprehensive data integration and intelligence are added to workflow applications, then automation capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master data hub as an intermediary layer between data sources and workflow execution. This hub centralizes the storage and management of project types, industry-specific rules, tasks, and trigger criteria, simplifying the system architecture by providing a single point of configuration and data access. The intermediary hub reduces complexity compared to distributed configuration systems while enabling comprehensive data integration and intelligent automation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for managing a digital workflow include identifying a task from a series of tasks associated with a project; determining a type of the project and to-be-collected information associated with the task; generating a user interface for presenting in an automated digital workflow application, wherein the user interface comprises one or more user interactive elements determined based on the type of the project and the to-be-collected information associated with the task; identifying trigger criteria associated with the task; interrogating a master data hub associated with the digital workflow to detect data associated with a task trigger; and in response to data associated with the task trigger satisfying the trigger criteria, automatically activating the task by causing the user interface to be displayed in the automated digital workflow application.