Reusable Process Models via Configurable Sub-process Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current process modeling methods require new versions of process models when business requirements change, lacking flexibility to accommodate future changes without modifying the baseline process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for specifying a reusable process model by applying configurable patterns to sub-processes, allowing dynamic category mapping and enabling changes to business requirements without altering the base process, using pre-defined flexible modeling primitives and hierarchical patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If configurable patterns are applied to sub-processes with dynamic category mapping, then adaptability to business requirement changes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to business requirement changesVSAvoidprocess model complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The process model is segmented into a base process and configurable sub-processes. Each sub-process can be independently configured with dynamic category mappings, allowing changes to be made at the sub-process level without affecting the entire process model. This segmentation enables adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Configurable patterns with dynamic category mappings provide universal applicability across different sub-processes. A single configurable pattern can serve multiple sub-processes by mapping different dynamic categories to them, reducing the need for separate customizations and thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If configurable patterns with dynamic category mapping are used, then the need for new process model versions is reduced, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess model version stabilityVSAvoidprocess model creation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Configurable patterns are prepared in advance with predefined structures and dynamic category mappings. This preliminary configuration allows rapid assembly of process models by simply mapping categories to sub-processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring version stability through reusable patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Configurable patterns serve as templates that can be copied and reused across multiple sub-processes. Instead of creating new process models from scratch, existing patterns are copied and customized through dynamic category mapping, reducing the need for new versions while maintaining ease of creation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8938714B2Specifying reusable process models

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method and system for specifying a reusable process model. Sub-processes of a base process are identified as having a potential to be modified. By filling in values in a configurable pattern applied to each identified sub-process, dynamic categories are mapped to the identified sub-processes, thereby allowing the sub-processes to be reusable. A change to business requirements occurs, where the base process is based on the business requirements. Based on the change to the business requirements, a change to the values in the configurable pattern applied to a sub-process is received. The change to the values in the configurable pattern does not require a change to the base process.