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Method and system for managing workflow

  • US 5,999,911 A
  • Filed: 06/02/1995
  • Issued: 12/07/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for managing a workflow using a programmed computer system, the method comprising:

  • displaying a graphical user interface for receiving a workflow definition;

    receiving the workflow definition from a user including a definition of steps in the workflow, a dependency expression for a step, and a step encapsulation;

    associating a step in the workflow with a graphical representation corresponding to the step;

    retrieving from memory the workflow definition including the definition of steps in the workflow, and the dependency expression for a step, creating an instance of the workflow definition, and storing the instance such that the instance is accessible to workflow manager programs, each executing on separate nodes of a network;

    from each of at least two workflow manager programs executing on separate nodes of a network, retrieving the workflow instance, displaying the same graphical representations of the steps in the instance of the workflow to each user, controlling execution of steps in the workflow by evaluating the dependency expression in the retrieved workflow instance in response to user selection of the graphical representation of the steps, and updating state of steps and data being operated on such that an updated instance and data being operated on is independently accessible to each of the workflow manager programs, the same graphical representations of the updated steps and data in the instance of the workflow are viewable by and operable to receive user input from the users of the workflow manager programs, and updated state of the workflow instance is communicated to each workflow manager program in response to a change in workflow state;

    from each of the workflow manager programs, controlling whether a user can begin execution of a step in the workflow based on the dependency expression for the step such that each of the workflow manager programs independently controls execution of steps in the workflow; and

    in response to user selection of a graphical representation of a step in the workflow, executing the selected step in the workflow, including invoking an application program according to the step encapsulation.

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