Workflow Jump Execution via Wavefront Difference Computation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current workflow management systems face high resource overhead and loss of intermediate state when realizing backward jumps in executing process instances, and are unable to handle forward jumps effectively, limiting end-user flexibility and system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that suspend the process instance, compute wavefront differences to determine activities for consideration, and create missing links to resume execution at a target activity, enabling both forward and backward jumps within a business process workflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complete state storage is used to realize backward jumps, then jump functionality is achieved, but resource overhead and physical resource consumption increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential state information needed for jump realization (activity identifiers, variable values) rather than storing complete process states. This selective extraction reduces storage requirements while maintaining jump functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The state information is segmented into discrete activity states that can be independently stored and restored. Each activity state contains only necessary information (activity ID, variable values) rather than complete process state, enabling efficient storage and retrieval.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complete state storage is used to realize backward jumps, then jump functionality is achieved, but performance of the workflow management system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only essential state information (activity identifiers and variable values) needed for jump operations, avoiding storage of complete process states. This extraction approach reduces processing overhead and improves system performance while maintaining jump functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If state restoration is used for backward jumps, then previous states can be recovered, but intermediate state records between target and source activities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by maintaining a structured record of activity states along the process path. Before a jump is executed, the system has already captured and stored intermediate state information in an organized manner, preventing information loss during jump operations.
4Productivity
If traditional workflow management is used, then basic process execution is achieved, but forward jumps and flexible activity reordering are not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic state manipulation capabilities that allow the process to change its execution flow dynamically. By maintaining restore points and enabling both forward and backward jumps, the system transitions from static sequential execution to dynamic flexible execution, supporting adaptive process management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for realizing jumps in an executing process instance can be provided. The method can include suspending an executing process instance, determining a current wavefront for the process instance and computing both a positive wavefront difference for a jump target relative to the current wavefront and also a negative wavefront difference for the jump target relative to the current wavefront. The method also can include removing activities from consideration in the process instance and also adding activities for consideration in the process instance both according to the computed positive wavefront difference and the negative wavefront difference, creating missing links for the added activities, and resuming executing of the process instance at the jump target.