Adaptive process systems and methods for managing business processes
First Claim
1. A system for managing a variable process operative with a computer communications network including at least one computer and one or more associated resources upon which the process operates the system comprising:
- a process specification for storage in memory of at least one of the computers and to be interpreted as a set of constraints describing allowed, preferred and disallowed data values and process actions; and
a process management system for executing on at least one of the computers and using the stored process specification to maintain a state of the process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and associated method which are computer enabled provide automation, management and user decision support of long-running, distributed business processes whose flow is variable and partially determined by user decisions. The system dynamically schedules and assigns tasks in response to current process data and provides context-sensitive support for required user decisions. Each process instance is represented by a set of activities, a set of participants, and a set of constraint relationships between them that as a whole specify the implications of current process data, the current process state, and the current and future process options. The system is open, enabling users to extend the process instance with unstructured activities. Where tasks are assigned to other software applications and the required actions are fully determined, the system will automatically make the required requests and ensure task completion. An electronic audit trails maintains a record of all actions, providing the basis for ongoing performance analysis. The system and method can be applied to any business or similar process having one or more users and software systems across one or more locations and computer networks.
80 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A system for managing a variable process operative with a computer communications network including at least one computer and one or more associated resources upon which the process operates the system comprising:
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a process specification for storage in memory of at least one of the computers and to be interpreted as a set of constraints describing allowed, preferred and disallowed data values and process actions; and
a process management system for executing on at least one of the computers and using the stored process specification to maintain a state of the process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method to manage a variable process, comprising the acts of:
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providing a data structure to represent an instance of the variable process and having a plurality of activities, a plurality of roles and participants, a plurality of variables and their possible data values, including variables whose domain is a set, and associated constraints;
recording requested changes in the variable process;
propagating through the constraints implications of the recorded changes according to relationships defined by the constraints;
optimizing selection and sequence of the activities according to supplied functions; and
executing the actions identified during the act of propagating. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33)
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30. A method for managing a variable process, comprising the acts of:
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providing data relevant to an instance of the variable process;
providing a process specification for the variable process;
providing a plurality of constraints for the variable process;
deriving facts and assumptions from the instance of the variable process and the process specification; and
representing a state of the variable process and options for the variable process from the constraints and the derived facts and assumption.
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31. A method for managing a variable process, comprising the acts of:
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providing a plurality of constraints for the variable process;
providing a process specification the variable process;
determining a state of the variable process from the process specification and constraints; and
determining options pertinent to the determined state. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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34. A system for managing information requirements of a variable process, wherein:
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the information is represented in a plurality of formats, including documents, structured relational data, and distributed, semi-structured collections, the system comprising;
a management function which tracks the status of each requirement, including initial establishment of the requirement, deadlines and events concerning the requirement'"'"'s fulfillment, assignment of activities to gather the required information, assignment of activities to review and make decisions based on the required information, and final fulfillment or failure to fulfill the requirement. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification