Visual Workflow Designer for Multi-Process Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digitizing and automating complex multi-process workflows is challenging due to the need for programming knowledge and the complexity of coordinating tasks across different departments and divisions.
Innovation Solution
A workflow design tool that allows non-technical users to create and visualize multi-process workflows without programming, using a visual user interface to configure processes, activities, and execution conditions, enabling the creation of digital and automated workflows that can be hosted as a software-as-a-service application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If workflow digitization is performed by programmers or someone with intimate knowledge of digital tools, then the workflow automation can be achieved with high precision, but the complexity and difficulty of the process increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual workflow designer as an intermediary tool between business users and the digital automation system. This designer provides a graphical interface with drag-and-drop components that allow users to create automated workflows without needing programming knowledge, thus maintaining automation precision while reducing the complexity and expertise requirements of the digitization process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of coding workflows manually with a visual design system. Instead of requiring users to write code or configure complex technical parameters, the system uses graphical representations and visual configuration methods to achieve the same automation outcomes, thereby reducing the barrier to entry while maintaining functionality
2Extent of automation
If complex multi-process workflows are digitized, then automation capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to coordination complexity across departments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complex multi-process workflows into smaller, manageable units or components that can be independently configured and visualized. The visual designer breaks down cross-departmental coordination into discrete workflow steps that can be individually designed, making the overall complex process more manageable and easier to operate despite maintaining comprehensive automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear workflow view to a multi-dimensional visual representation that displays process flows, decision points, and coordination requirements across multiple departments simultaneously. This dimensional change in visualization allows users to comprehend and configure complex cross-functional workflows more easily while maintaining full automation capability
Data Source
AI summary
A user modifiable user interface representation of a first workflow item grouping container and a second workflow item grouping container are provided. The first and second item grouping containers are part of a collection of workflow item grouping containers organizing a design of an end-to-end multi-process workflow solution. An interactive user interface representation of a first workflow item belonging to the first workflow item grouping container and a second workflow item belonging to the second workflow item grouping container are provided. The first and second workflow items correspond to different individual activities of the end-to-end multi-process workflow solution. A user is able to interact with the interactive user interface representation of the first workflow item to modify a workflow property of the first workflow item and to interact with the interactive user interface representation of the second workflow item to modify a workflow property of the second workflow item.