Systems and methods for refining a decision-making process via executable sequences

• US 7,080,066 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teradata US, Inc. (Teradata Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Barton, Neil, Scheurich, Larry, Demarest, Marc, Ehrler, Kurt, Halvorson, Eric, Bonaventura, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, GEORGE B
• Application Number:
  US09/925,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 706/54, 706/3, 706/46, 707/3, 705/1, 705/2, 705/3, 705/10, 705/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A collection of data is processed and information arising from the processing can be distributed in a variety of ways to support a decision-making process. A query-analyze-distribute approach can be used, and queries, analysis directives, and distribution directives can be associated into a sequence and shared. Access to interim processing is provided, allowing recipients of information to more easily understand and refine the processing. Unbound queries, unbound analysis directives, and unbound distribution directives can be used and shared so that the queries, analysis directives, and distribution directives can be tailored to a particular situation via binding. The query, analysis, and distribution processing can be loosely-coupled to allow easy interchange and combination of sequence elements. A sequence can be scheduled for periodic execution, and distribution of data can be limited to instances when data falls outside of certain expected values. A decision-making process can be automated by creating an executable workflow. The environment in which the workflow is executed can support a rich set of features, including gating, branching, drill down, and execution tracking. A decision-making process based on a sequence can be refined by employing executable metasequences.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of refining a decision-making process based on a collection of data indicating a state, the method comprising:

defining a plurality of discrete executable directives, wherein the discrete executable directives comprise one or more directives operable to perform one or more queries on the collection of data, one or more analysis directives operable to diagnose a problem indicated by the state based at least on information derived from results of the queries, and one or more distribution directives operable to distribute a diagnosis of the problem;

processing the plurality of discrete executable directives, the processing comprising performing one or more of the queries on the collection of data, diagnosing a problem indicated by the state based at least on information derived from results of the processing of the one or more queries, and distributing a diagnosis of the problem;

indicating a possible reaction of a decision-maker to the diagnosis by using a user interface element; and

recording the decision-maker'"'"'s reaction to the diagnosis in response to activation of the user interface element by the decision-maker.

2. The method of claim 1 as performed by a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of data indicates a state of an organization and the decision-making process is related to the organization.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the diagnosis comprises an indication of a root cause of the problem.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the diagnosis comprises a recommendation for resolving the problem.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the diagnosis comprises a course of action for resolving the problem.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

distributing with a diagnosis of the problem a presentation of information indicating the problem, wherein the decision-maker can drill down to details not shown in the presentation of information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the directives encapsulate their respective logic.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing access to interim results generated by one of the directives.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of data indicates a financial state of an organization.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

combining the executable directives into an executable sequence for automatic execution; and

responsive to execution of the sequence, presenting the user interface element to a decision-maker.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to present an identification of a root cause of the problem.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to present recommendation to resolve the problem.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to present a course of action to resolve the problem.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to monitor whether the decision-maker has acknowledged the problem.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to monitor whether the decision-maker has committed to completing a recommended course of action.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to monitor whether the decision-maker is engaging in a particular course of action to resolve the problem.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence is operable to evaluate a reaction of the decision-maker to the problem.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence comprises a gate.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the sequence comprises a conditional branch.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying representations of the discrete executable directives in a computer user interface for arbitrary assembly into an executable sequence.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the discrete executable directives form a metasequence.

23. The method of claim 1 for refining a decision-making process comprising refining a budgetary decision-making process related to an organization based on a collection of data indicating budgets and expenses related to cost centers, wherein the act of defining a plurality of discrete executable directives comprises defining discrete executable directives comprising one or more directives operable to perform one or more queries on the collection of data to generate budget and expense information for the cost centers, the one or more analysis directives comprising directives operable to determine whether a cost center is on track to overrun its budget based at least on information derived from results of the queries, and the one or more distribution directives comprising directives operable to distribute a notification to a decision-maker responsible for the cost center indicating the overrun;

wherein the act of processing the plurality of discrete executable directives comprises performing one or more of the queries on the collection of data to generate budget and expense information for the cost centers, determining whether a cost center is on track to overrun its budget based at least on information derived from results of the processing of the one or more queries, and distributing a notification to a decision-maker responsible for the cost center indicating the overrun;

wherein the act of indicating comprises indicating a possible reaction of the decision-maker to the overrun; and

wherein the act of recording comprises recording the decision-maker'"'"'s reaction to the overrun in response to the activation of the user interface element by the decision-maker.