Workflow Re-evaluation for Dynamic Task Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dynamic business processes like e-procurement, traditional workflows struggle to handle unexpected changes efficiently, often requiring complete re-initiation of processes, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive, and lack flexibility in exception handling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a workflow re-evaluation mechanism that identifies and re-executes only necessary tasks based on predefined re-evaluation rules, allowing for granular control at various levels, including task and workflow fragments, and integrating exception handling dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete process re-initiation is performed when unexpected changes occur, then process correctness is ensured, but time consumption and resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow is divided into individual tasks that can be independently evaluated. When a change occurs, only the affected tasks are identified and re-executed, rather than re-executing the entire workflow. This segmentation allows for selective re-execution based on change impact analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines which tasks need re-execution based on the type of change detected. The re-evaluation mechanism adapts the re-execution scope according to the specific change scenario, making the process flexible rather than rigidly re-executing all tasks or none.
2Reliability
If complete process re-initiation is performed when unexpected changes occur, then process correctness is ensured, but resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow is divided into individual tasks that can be independently evaluated. When a change occurs, only the affected tasks are identified and re-executed, rather than re-executing the entire workflow. This segmentation allows for selective re-execution based on change impact analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the execution state parameter of individual tasks based on change impact analysis. Tasks are marked for re-execution, skipping, or cancellation based on their relationship to the detected change, optimizing resource utilization.
3Device complexity
If traditional workflow approaches are used, then process simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in handling unexpected changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of task dependencies and change impacts before executing the workflow. By pre-analyzing which tasks are affected by changes, the system can quickly determine the appropriate re-execution scope without complex runtime decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where change detection triggers re-evaluation of task execution requirements. The outcome of change impact analysis feeds back into the workflow execution decision, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changes while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An occurrence of a workflow re-evaluation event during execution of tasks in a workflow is identified. In response to the workflow re-evaluation event, it is determined for each task previously executed in the workflow whether such task needs to be executed again. Those tasks in the workflow for which it was determined that the corresponding task needs to be executed again are executed again, while the tasks in the workflow that were previously executed and for which it was not determined that the corresponding task needs to be executed again are skipped. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.