No-Code Workflow Execution for Capacity Plan Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require manual coding and complex navigation through multiple user interfaces to automate tasks such as managing customer accounts and capacity plans, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in updating data structures.
Innovation Solution
A no-code workflow framework that allows users to configure automated workflows for managing data structures, including actions that request user input, generate data, and coordinate between systems, without the need for programming, using a graphical user interface to specify parameters and execute actions through an actions engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual coding and complex navigation through multiple user interfaces are used to automate tasks, then existing systems can perform automation, but the complexity of the system increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workflow framework as an intermediary layer between users and complex system operations. This framework provides a simplified interface for configuring automated workflows without requiring users to navigate complex user interfaces or write code. The framework handles the complexity of coordinating actions across multiple systems internally, thus reducing perceived system complexity while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments automation into discrete, configurable actions that can be independently defined and combined. Users can configure individual actions (such as data retrieval, system coordination, or updates) without needing to understand the entire complex automation system. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high automation capability while presenting a simplified, modular interface that reduces complexity.
2Extent of automation
If manual coding is required for automation, then existing systems can be programmed to perform tasks, but the ease of operation decreases and time to implement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow framework enables users to create and configure their own automated workflows without requiring programming expertise. Users can define actions, parameters, and coordination logic through intuitive configuration interfaces, making the system self-serveable. This eliminates the need for manual coding while maintaining full automation capability, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows users to configure automation by changing parameters and settings within the workflow framework rather than writing code. Users can define actions by specifying parameters such as trigger conditions, data transformations, and system coordination details, which are handled automatically by the framework. This parameter-based configuration approach maintains automation capability while dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If complex navigation through multiple user interfaces is required, then existing systems can manage data structures, but the time to complete tasks increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow framework performs preliminary configuration of automation logic when workflows are initially created. By pre-defining the sequence of actions, data transformations, and system coordination requirements, the framework eliminates the need for users to navigate complex interfaces during task execution. This preliminary setup significantly reduces the time required for subsequent task completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple user interface navigation steps into a single workflow configuration action. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple separate interfaces to complete related tasks, the framework combines these operations into unified workflow actions that can be configured and executed together. This merging reduces the time for manual navigation and improves overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a capacity plan engine for managing parameters of a capacity plan, an actions engine for configuring and executing automated workflows on the capacity plan, a database storing one or more action data structures defining a set of actions for the automated workflow and a sequence thereof, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate user selection of the action data structure to cause the actions engine to access the database to automatically execute the automated workflow on the capacity plan using the capacity plan engine according to the sequence defined by the one or more action data structures.