Business Process Workflow System Using Graphical Flow Diagrams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method to visually and textually document business process workflows, making it difficult to capture and communicate the intricacies of business processes in a user-friendly and self-documenting manner.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that receives a graphical description of a business process workflow via a GUI, allowing users to create process flow diagrams and generate both software applications and natural language descriptions, utilizing modules like process definition, forms design, and dynamic entity modules to store and represent business processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional documentation methods are used for business processes, then documentation can be created, but it is difficult to capture and communicate the intricacies of business processes in a user-friendly and self-documenting manner
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments business processes into discrete, manageable components represented as nodes in a flow diagram. Each node can be independently defined, configured, and documented, allowing complex processes to be broken down into understandable units that can be easily created and modified by users without losing process intricacies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms traditional linear or textual process documentation into a two-dimensional graphical flow diagram format. This visual dimension enables users to perceive process flow, relationships, and intricacies more intuitively while maintaining ease of creation through drag-and-drop interface operations.
2Loss of information
If detailed business process documentation is created, then process intricacies are captured, but the system becomes more complex and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal, pre-defined node types and connection mechanisms that can represent various business process elements through a consistent interface. This allows detailed process documentation to be created using standardized components, reducing the complexity burden on users while maintaining comprehensive process capture capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to copy and reuse existing process nodes, connections, and entire process definitions. This copying capability allows detailed process documentation to be replicated and adapted without recreating from scratch, reducing the effective complexity of creating comprehensive documentation while maintaining completeness.
3Loss of information
If manual process documentation is used, then processes can be recorded, but it requires significant time and effort to create and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides pre-defined node templates, standard process patterns, and reusable process components that have been prepared in advance. Users can directly instantiate these pre-prepared elements into their process documentation, dramatically reducing the time required to create comprehensive process records while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables rapid documentation creation through copying existing process definitions, nodes, and connections. Once a process element is created or imported, it can be replicated and reused multiple times, reducing the cumulative time investment required for creating and maintaining detailed process documentation across multiple processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a description associated with a business process workflow via a graphical user interface, the description comprising a process flow diagram; and causing a processor to generate at least one of a software application or a natural language description of the business process workflow based upon the description.