Process Model Creation for Cross-Department Task Relationships

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack a method to create a process model that effectively manages the relation of tasks across multiple departments in manufacturing and other industries, where different systems hinder information sharing and cooperation, and existing solutions do not adequately address the creation of a process model that covers multiple tasks and steps.

Innovation Solution

A process model creation system that acquires site data related to tasks, creates step instances by associating task-related information, and generates a process model representing the relationship between tasks, enabling the creation of a process relation data model that can be accumulated and used for improved data analysis and cooperation across departments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If different departments use different systems for managing tasks, then each department can manage its own tasks independently, but information sharing between departments becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent task managementVSAvoidInformation sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple departmental task management systems into a unified process model that captures cross-departmental workflows. By creating a standardized process model structure that can represent tasks from different departments in a common framework, the system enables information sharing while preserving the ability to manage departmental tasks independently through the unified model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The process model serves as a universal framework that can represent tasks from any department while maintaining a consistent structure. This multi-functional model allows different departments to contribute their task information to a single standardized representation, enabling both independent management and cross-departmental information sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If departments analyze site data within their own departments, then departmental task efficiency can be enhanced, but cooperation between departments for overall process efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDepartmental task efficiencyVSAvoidCross-departmental cooperation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines site data from multiple departments into a unified process model that represents the entire manufacturing process flow. This merged model allows analysis of both individual departmental tasks and their interactions, enabling enhanced departmental efficiency while simultaneously improving cross-departmental cooperation through a shared data representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension of analysis by creating a process model that operates at both the departmental level and the overall process level simultaneously. This multi-level representation allows departments to analyze their own tasks while also enabling cross-departmental cooperation through the higher-level process view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If a process model is created to cover multiple tasks and steps, then information sharing and cooperation are improved, but the complexity of creating and managing the model increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInformation sharingVSAvoidProcess model creation and management
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the process model into standardized components representing different types of tasks and steps. By dividing the overall process model into manageable, standardized segments, the system enables comprehensive cross-departmental information sharing while reducing the complexity of creation and management through modular, reusable components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs standardized parameters and attributes for representing tasks and steps in the process model. By changing the representation to use consistent, standardized parameters across all departments and task types, the system achieves improved information sharing while reducing model complexity through parameter standardization and reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3944040A1Process model creation system, and process model creation method
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3944040A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944040A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944040A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A process model is created from site data generated in a process. A process model creation system includes: a site data acquiring section that acquires, as site data, task information related to one or more tasks implemented for a process including the tasks, and task-related information related to the implemented tasks; an instance creating section that creates a step instance by associating the task-related information with the corresponding task information; and a process model creating section that creates, from one or more step instances, a process model which is a model representing a relationship between the one or more tasks in the process.