Workflow management system for an automated credit application system
First Claim
1. A method for managing workflow for an automated credit application system comprising the steps of:
- configuring a workflow, comprising the steps of;
defining a plurality of workflow process steps, each said workflow process steps having an associated status, wherein said status can be complete or incomplete;
associating one or more tests with each of said workflow process steps;
relating one or more database elements with each of said tests; and
linking one or more functions with each of said database elements; and
processing a workflow, comprising the steps of;
identifying an executed function;
finding a set of potentially affected workflow process steps comprising all workflow process steps associated with said executed function;
calculating the status of each workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps; and
determining a next step for each said workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps, in which said status changes from incomplete to complete according to said calculating step.
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Abstract
A workflow management system for an automated credit application processing system. The workflow management system automatically coordinates the workflow among various workgroups and entities involved in the credit application process. The steps and rule tests that define an organization'"'"'s workflow are customized according to the workflow requirements and process steps for each organization. The workflow manager allows application steps to be processed simultaneously by various entities involved in the loan application process. Workgroups are defined for each pre-configured workflow definition. Each workgroup is associated with a particular set of functions. A workgroup queue is provided for each workgroup. Workgroup queues contain active or pending steps associated with the workgroup. In operation, users can obtain status information by viewing data from the various workgroup queues. A relational database management system is used to link a plurality of tests with each workflow process step that is defined for particular workflow. The tests are linked to rule elements which are linked to database elements that are linked to functions that alter the database elements. Accordingly, when a function is executed, the workflow management system automatically determines which particular workflow process steps are potentially affected by the executed function. Then, the workflow management system evaluates those steps to determine their status and to further determine the process steps to be activated next.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for managing workflow for an automated credit application system comprising the steps of:
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configuring a workflow, comprising the steps of;
defining a plurality of workflow process steps, each said workflow process steps having an associated status, wherein said status can be complete or incomplete;
associating one or more tests with each of said workflow process steps;
relating one or more database elements with each of said tests; and
linking one or more functions with each of said database elements; and
processing a workflow, comprising the steps of;
identifying an executed function;
finding a set of potentially affected workflow process steps comprising all workflow process steps associated with said executed function;
calculating the status of each workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps; and
determining a next step for each said workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps, in which said status changes from incomplete to complete according to said calculating step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system to manage workflow for an automated credit application system comprising:
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a function module comprising a plurality of functions, each of said functions can be executed by users or by the automated credit application system;
a test module comprising a plurality of tests, each of said tests associated with at least one of said functions;
a data module comprising a plurality of workflow process steps, each of said workflow process steps associated with at least one of said tests; and
a notice module responsive to an executed function in said function module, wherein said notice module is used to identify which said workflow process steps are associated with said executed function. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for managing workflow for an automated credit application system, wherein said computer program logic comprises:
configuring means for enabling the computer to configure a workflow, comprising;
defining means for enabling the computer accept from a user a definition for a plurality of workflow process steps, each said workflow process steps having an associated status, wherein said status can be complete or incomplete;
associating means for enabling the computer to associate one or more tests with each of said workflow process steps;
relating means for enabling the computer to relate one or more database elements with each of said tests; and
linking means for enabling the computer to link one or more functions with each of said database elements; and
processing means for enabling the computer to process a workflow, comprising;
identifying means for enabling the computer to identify an executed function;
finding means for enabling the computer to find a set of potentially affected workflow process steps comprising all workflow process steps associated with said executed function;
calculating means for enabling the computer to calculate the status of each workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps; and
determining means for enabling the computer to determine a next step for each said workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps, in which said status changes from incomplete to complete according to said calculating means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Specification