Automated Workflow Generation via Metadata Linking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workflow generation platforms require significant manual intervention and coding efforts to integrate disparate executable modules, leading to redundant features and inefficiencies due to inconsistencies in data formats, execution platforms, and documentation, making it difficult to create composite workflows that can seamlessly pass data between modules.

Innovation Solution

An automated workflow generation platform that uses metadata to automatically link and order executable modules, generate necessary metadata for new modules, and select foundational modules, enabling seamless data passing and integration through a graphical user interface, thereby reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual coding is used to integrate executable modules, then flexibility and adaptability are achieved, but time consumption and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated workflow generation where the platform itself performs the integration tasks. The workflow generation platform automatically generates executable workflows by selecting modules from a library, determining their execution order, and configuring data passing between them without requiring manual programmer intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes a library of executable modules with standardized interfaces and metadata before workflow creation. This preliminary preparation allows the automated system to quickly assemble workflows by combining pre-vetted modules rather than creating everything from scratch, reducing time consumption while maintaining adaptability through the modular approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual integration of disparate modules is performed, then compatibility issues can be addressed, but redundancy and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal interface standard for all executable modules through standardized metadata schemas. This universality allows disparate modules with different functions to be integrated automatically without manual compatibility work, improving efficiency while maintaining reliability through consistent interface contracts that all modules must follow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses metadata parameters to automatically determine compatibility and integration requirements between modules. By changing from manual compatibility checking to automated parameter-based matching, the system resolves compatibility issues efficiently through algorithmic comparison of module interfaces, data formats, and execution requirements rather than manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated workflow generation is implemented, then productivity and efficiency improve, but complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between executable modules and the workflow generation process. This metadata acts as a mediator that carries interface specifications, data format definitions, and execution requirements, allowing the automated system to manage complexity through standardized intermediate representations rather than direct complex module-to-module interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If metadata-based automated linking is used, then data passing between modules is streamlined, but requirements for metadata standards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of integrationVSAvoidmetadata requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments metadata into distinct, manageable components including interface definitions, data format specifications, execution parameters, and compatibility rules. This segmentation allows the complex metadata requirements to be broken down into standardized, reusable elements that can be independently defined and validated, making the automated linking process easier while managing the complexity through modular metadata structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10621013B2Automated systems and methods for generating executable workflows

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 OPTUM INC

AI summary

Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for automatically constructing executable workflows comprising a plurality of executable modules. The system comprises a workflow assembly platform configured to review metadata associated with each of the plurality of executable modules to be included within the workflow and to automatically generate links for passing data between the selected executable modules such that execution of the workflow by an execution platform results in data flow from a workflow input, through each of the included executable modules, to generate and execute a workflow.