Dynamic Workflow Modeling for Data Flow Visibility and Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workflow and data flow diagrams fail to accurately represent complex relationships between tasks and components, making it difficult to diagnose errors and modify scenarios with different data or parameters, and lack visibility into how execution flows generate data.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic workflow modeling system that includes actor modules to perform operations, stage modules to represent workflow steps, display modules for visual representation, and inspector modules for real-time information display, allowing users to visualize and modify workflows and data flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional execution flows are used to represent workflow steps, then the workflow can be displayed in a simple sequence, but the complex relationships between tasks and entities cannot be accurately reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the workflow into distinct actors, stages, and operations that can be independently configured and visualized. Each actor represents a specific entity or system component, stages represent workflow steps, and operations represent individual actions. This segmentation allows complex relationships to be accurately represented while maintaining ease of modification through the modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a visual dimension to workflow representation by displaying actors, stages, and operations in a graphical interface with spatial relationships. The visual layout shows connections and data flows between components, transforming a simple sequential list into a multi-dimensional representation that captures complex relationships while remaining easy to understand and modify.
2Loss of information
If traditional data flows are used to track data transmission, then data movement can be monitored, but the visualization of how execution flows generate data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the execution flow representation with the data flow tracking into a unified visual model. The same graphical elements that show workflow steps (actors, stages, operations) also display data generation and transmission information. This integration eliminates information loss about data generation while avoiding the complexity of separate tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow modeling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it visualizes execution flow, tracks data transmission, shows data generation points, and enables scenario simulation. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified actor-stage-operation framework that handles both control flow and data flow representation in a single integrated system.
3Reliability
If static workflow diagrams are used, then the initial workflow can be documented, but real-time parameter identification and error diagnosis are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms static workflow diagrams into dynamic models that can identify parameters in real-time and diagnose errors as they occur. The actor-stage-operation framework continuously monitors workflow execution, detects deviations from expected behavior, and provides real-time feedback. This dynamic capability enables reliable error diagnosis while maintaining flexibility for scenario simulation through the same adaptive model.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dynamically modeling a workflow and identifying parameters in a computing environment are disclosed. In some non-limiting embodiments, the dynamic modeling workflow system may include circuitry, such as a processor, that generates the workflow information to be displayed on a display for a user. The workflow information may contain information representing a first actor configured to perform a first operation and having a first output for outputting first data and a second actor configured to perform a second operation and having a first input for inputting the first data from the first output. In addition the workflow information may be configured to provide a visual representation of the order in which the first actor and the second actor perform the first operation and second operation, respectively, and information about the first data. Additionally, the workflow information may include first and second stages representing a first and second steps in the workflow and comprising the first and second actors, respectively. A method performed by the workflow system is also provided.