Workflow Simulation Apparatus for Branch Point Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workflow testing methods require all information processing apparatuses or users to be secured and coordinated, making it time-consuming to test workflows, especially those with branches, as each test pattern must be executed from the beginning.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that acquires user information and displays simulation screens for multiple users, allowing a single user to test workflows by simulating the actions of multiple users, and enables testing from an instructed branch point, reducing the need to start from the beginning for each test pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all information processing apparatuses or users are secured and coordinated for workflow testing, then comprehensive workflow verification is achieved, but testing time and coordination complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of user terminals and users within a simulation environment. The simulation apparatus generates virtual user terminals that replicate the behavior and interface of actual user terminals, allowing comprehensive workflow testing without requiring physical presence of all actual users and devices. This copying approach enables complete workflow verification while eliminating coordination overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation apparatus acts as an intermediary between the test operator and the actual user terminals. It receives workflow definitions and test instructions, then autonomously executes tests by simulating user interactions across multiple virtual terminals. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for direct coordination between multiple actual users, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining verification completeness.
2Reliability
If each test pattern of a workflow with branches is executed from the beginning, then all execution patterns are covered, but testing time increases due to redundant execution of common steps
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation apparatus performs preliminary analysis of the workflow definition to identify common steps shared across multiple execution patterns. Before executing test patterns, it pre-processes and stores the common portion of the workflow. When testing branched workflows, the apparatus can resume from branch points without re-executing common steps, significantly reducing redundant operations while ensuring complete test pattern coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the workflow execution into common portions and branch-specific portions. By analyzing the workflow definition, the simulation apparatus identifies segments that are shared across multiple execution patterns and segments that are unique to specific branches. This segmentation allows the system to execute common steps once and then diverge into different branch paths, improving testing efficiency while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If multiple users or apparatuses are coordinated for workflow testing, then comprehensive verification is possible, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple user terminals and users into a single simulation apparatus. The simulation apparatus integrates the capabilities to execute workflows across multiple virtual terminals, manage user identities, and coordinate interactions within a unified system. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices and coordination interfaces required, simplifying the testing system while maintaining comprehensive verification capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation apparatus is designed as a universal testing platform that can simulate multiple different user terminals and user behaviors within a single system. It具备 multi-functionality to handle various workflow types, user roles, and terminal configurations without requiring separate specialized apparatuses for each scenario. This universality reduces system complexity by replacing multiple specialized devices with one versatile simulation system.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information processing apparatus for testing a workflow, the information processing apparatus including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a first user who executes a first work step of the workflow; and a display unit configured to display a first simulation screen based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, the first simulation screen simulating a first screen on which the first user executes the first work step of the workflow, wherein the display unit displays a second simulation screen, the second simulation screen simulating a second screen on which a second user executes a second work step of the workflow, the second work step of the workflow executed by the second user following the execution of the first work step by the first user on the first screen.