Hierarchical Process Visualization Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a tool for visualizing and interacting with a simplified, task-oriented view of multiple-stage processes, making it difficult for users to understand the status of each stage and determine the next actions needed to advance the process, requiring technical expertise.
Innovation Solution
A process visualization architecture that includes a process design application and a process visualization application, which generates a graphical user interface displaying processes and stages in a hierarchical arrangement, allowing users to select stages to view associated activities and perform declarative actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detailed process definition system is used to track multiple-stage processes, then process tracking capability is improved, but user understanding and ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring technical expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The process is segmented into distinct stages, with each stage representing a manageable unit of work. The graphical interface divides the process into visual stages that users can easily distinguish and track, transforming a complex monolithic process into comprehensible discrete segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The process information is transformed from a flat, technical data structure into a hierarchical visual representation with multiple dimensions - showing both the overall process progress and detailed stage activities simultaneously. This dimensional transformation makes abstract process states concrete and understandable.
2Loss of information
If a comprehensive process visualization tool is created to show all process details, then information completeness is improved, but interface complexity and device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into hierarchical levels - an overview level showing process stages and a detailed level showing activities within each stage. Users can navigate between these levels without being overwhelmed by all information simultaneously, maintaining completeness while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface implements a nested structure where process stages contain activities, and activities contain actionable items. This nesting allows comprehensive information to be organized in concentric layers, with users accessing details only when needed, thus maintaining information completeness while managing interface complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If technical expertise is required to understand process workflows, then process definition precision is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the actual process data in a simplified graphical format. Instead of requiring users to interpret raw process data, the system generates an intuitive visual copy that preserves accuracy while eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of information presentation from technical, data-centric parameters to visual, user-centric parameters. Process stages and activities are represented through graphical elements with intuitive properties rather than technical specifications, maintaining precision while improving accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment may involve defining a process by first and second process design applications, wherein the process includes a set of stages; receiving, by a process visualization application, a reference to a parent entry and a definition of the process referencing the parent entry; based on the parent entry, identifying a first transformer class associated with the first process design application and a second transformer class associated with the second process design application, wherein the individual classes contain executable functions; converting an output of the first and second process design applications in a first configuration into a second configuration based on a first transformer class associated with the first process design application and a second transformer class associated with the second process design application, wherein the second configuration is accessible to the process visualization application; generating a display of the process in a hierarchical arrangement, wherein the hierarchical arrangement reflects the sets of stages and the associated activities.