Graph Process Model Timer Patterns for Temporal Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process models lack the ability to effectively incorporate temporal constraints, such as delays and deadlines, into business processes, which limits their ability to regulate the timing of tasks and enhance process management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that allows users to input and visualize temporal constraints as timers within a graph-based process model, using graphical notations to represent commencement and completion delays and deadlines on task borders, enabling precise control over task timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temporal constraints are incorporated into process models, then the ability to regulate task timing is improved, but the complexity of the process model increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temporal constraint mechanism is segmented into distinct components: timer elements attached to specific task borders, separate delay and deadline constraints, and independent temporal rule evaluation. This segmentation allows the complexity to be managed through modular components rather than a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
Timer elements serve as intermediary components between tasks and temporal constraints. These timers act as mediators that enforce delays and deadlines by controlling task activation based on temporal conditions, separating the timing logic from the core process flow.
2Ease of operation
If graphical notations are used to represent temporal constraints, then the intuitiveness of process modeling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different graphical notations are applied locally to different borders of tasks based on the type of temporal constraint: left border for commencement delay, right border for completion delay, top border for commencement deadline, and bottom border for completion deadline. This localized approach makes the notation system more intuitive by associating specific visual patterns with specific temporal meanings.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporal constraint information is added as a new dimension to the existing task graphical representation. Instead of modifying the core task structure, the system attaches temporal metadata and visual notations to task borders, effectively adding a temporal dimension without altering the fundamental process model structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing timers for tasks of process models. In one aspect, an input representative of a temporal constraint for a task of a graph-process model may be received. The temporal constraint defines at least one of a delay or a deadline. The task may be associated with the temporal constraint created based on the received input. The temporal constraint defined to have a placement at the graph-process model based on the type of temporal constraint. The task and the temporal constraint may be provided to configure the process model. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are described.