Web-Based Business Process Visualization and Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workflow tools are complex and resource-intensive, requiring extensive business analysis, installation, and user training, making them costly and inefficient for managing and monitoring business processes.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that allows for the visualization and management of business processes by generating graphical representations of business processes, including execution paths, elapsed times, and attributes, enabling users to input data and view additional information through an intuitive interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional workflow engines are implemented to manage business processes, then process management capability is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess management capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential workflow management functionality from complex traditional workflow engines. It isolates the core capabilities (process definition, execution tracking, and visualization) and implements them through a simplified system that uses basic database tables and standard web technologies, eliminating the need for heavyweight workflow engine software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified representation of workflow management by copying only the necessary functional elements from traditional systems. It uses basic HTML pages with embedded JavaScript to replicate process visualization and tracking capabilities, rather than implementing full-featured workflow engine functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If traditional workflow engines are implemented to manage business processes, then process management capability is improved, but implementation cost and resource intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess management capabilityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service workflow management where users can directly interact with and manipulate process definitions through web browsers. The embedded JavaScript provides client-side processing capabilities, eliminating the need for complex server-side workflow engine infrastructure and reducing overall system resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, long-term workflow engine installations with lightweight, on-demand web pages. Each process is represented by simple HTML files that can be generated and discarded as needed, eliminating the need for permanent workflow engine software installations and associated licensing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of information

If detailed process data is collected and visualized, then process understanding is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess information visibilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data collection, storage, and visualization functions into a single integrated web page structure. HTML forms collect process data, embedded JavaScript processes and validates the data, and the same page displays visualized process information, eliminating the need for separate data processing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The web pages serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as data input forms, data storage containers (through database connections), data processing units (via JavaScript), and visualization displays. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity compared to specialized tools for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9213950B2Method and system for managing a plurality of processes or tasks

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 RANDELL ANTHONY KEITH

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and system for processing data for monitoring, managing and/or displaying a plurality of processes, tasks or workflow events. According to an embodiment, the system includes an interface for inputting data, wherein the data comprises data associated with a business process, a processor configured for processing the data and configured for generating a graphical representation of the processed data, and wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more elements responsive to an input, and the one or more elements are configured to present additional information for the business process in response to the input.