Instance-Specific Workflow Definition Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and modifying workflow definitions in computing systems is challenging due to the complexity of having multiple workflow instances in different states, making uniform changes disruptive and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
Breaking down workflow definitions into instance-specific components, allowing for step injection into individual instances based on their state, enabling modifications to be applied uniformly across running workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a global workflow definition is modified, then the workflow definition is updated, but running workflow instances in different states cannot be uniformly modified without disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the workflow definition into instance-specific components. Each running workflow instance maintains its own definition copy, allowing independent modification without affecting other instances. The system divides the global workflow definition into multiple instance-specific definitions that can be selectively updated based on instance state, resolving the contradiction between modification capability and execution stability.
2Productivity
If multiple workflow instances run simultaneously in different states, then system productivity is improved, but managing and modifying the workflow definition becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments workflow management into instance-specific definition copies, where each running instance has its own definition rather than sharing a single global definition. This segmentation allows parallel execution of multiple instances while simplifying management, as modifications can be applied selectively to specific instances based on their state, reducing the complexity of managing concurrent workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different workflow instances to have different definition states. Each instance can be modified independently according to its specific state and requirements, rather than applying uniform changes to all instances. This enables tailored management of each workflow instance while maintaining overall system productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If workflow definition modifications are applied to running instances, then adaptability is improved, but disruption to workflow execution may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by evaluating the current state of each workflow instance before applying modifications. The patent determines whether an instance is eligible for modification based on its state, and only applies changes to instances that are in appropriate states. This preliminary evaluation prevents disruption to instances that are in critical or不可修改 states, enabling safe live updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies modifications locally to specific workflow instances rather than globally to all instances. Each instance receives modifications only if its state permits, allowing adaptability for instances that can be updated while protecting instances that would be disrupted. This localized approach enables live updates without causing system-wide disruption.
Data Source
AI summary
Workflow definitions are broken into a set of components. Each workflow component has an instance-specific workflow definition that it operates from. Different steps can be injected into different workflow instance-specific definitions, based upon a given state of each individual workflow instance.