Relational logic management system

• US 7,428,519 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
• Inventors: Minsky, Steven, Forgy, Charles, Tan, Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes; Michael B
• Application Number:
  US10/861,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 706/47
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method to propagate relations between a first rule set and a second rule set wherein the first and second rule sets are invoked by a common workflow model. The method includes tracing paths forward through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set. Enumerating relations that extend forward from the first rule set to the second rule set is another step in the method. Additionally, using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set, tracing paths backward through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set, enumerating relations that extend backward from the second rule set to the first rule set, and using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow backwards through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set are also steps in the method.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to reconcile rule sets in a workflow model of a business process, the method comprising:

tracing paths forward through a workflow model of a business process from a first rule set to a second rule set by creating flow graphs for said first and second rule sets in a user interface and propagating relations between nodes in the flow graphs, wherein the first and second rule sets are invoked by the workflow model;

automatically enumerating relations that extend forward from the first rule set to the second rule set; and

using multi-valued logic, computing the effects on the relations of control flow through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set according to criteria that define potential functional interactions between the rule sets; and

reconciling conflicts, redundancies, or overlaps between said rule sets.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

tracing paths backward through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set;

enumerating relations that extend backward from the second rule set to the first rule set; and

using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow backwards through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method includes creating flow graphs for the ordinary procedural code embedded in the workflow model, propagating relations between nodes in the flow graphs.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the multi-valued logic is a two-valued logic.

5. A computer-implemented method of creating reusable modules of business logic, the method comprising:

(a) capturing at least one sequence of steps and rule sets from a workflow model of a business process by means of a user interface to a business logic modeler;

(b) storing the sequence of workflow steps and rule sets as a single business logic module, and

(c) storing relational information computed for each variable used in the sequence within the single business logic module, wherein the relational information remains accessible to an operator to facilitate sequence reuse; and

(d) reusing said modules of business logic in new contexts.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the sequence comprises meta-information.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the sequence has one input and one output.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the relational information is accessible through an interface.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the sequence is arranged based upon a hierarchy.

10. A computer-implemented method for inserting a sequence of workflow steps into a business process model, the method comprising:

(a) comparing the relational information stored for each variable in the sequence to the relational information computed for the business process model;

(b) creating computer initialization instructions to initialize each variable in the sequence; and

(c) inserting the computer initialization instructions into the business process model such that the computer initialization instructions will be executed before the sequence of workflow steps;

such that the computer initialization instructions will be executed before the sequence of workflow steps; and

(d) implementing new business logic.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

(d) creating computer finalization instructions to finalize the sequence by converting the values of the variables in the sequence into a form that can be used by the business process model, and

(e) inserting the computer finalization instructions into the business process model such that the computer finalization instructions will be executed after the sequence of workflow steps.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the business process model is a sub-process.

13. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions, which when loaded into a digital computational device establishes a relational logic management system comprising:

a modeler adapted for generating business logic, the modeler comprising at least one logical component;

at least one repository for storing business logic generated by the modeler; and

at least two rule sets, wherein relationships between rule set elements are determinable using a bi-directional comparative process; and

enabling an operator to model and generate business logic.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the business logic comprises at least one workflow.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a code generator adapted for generating code in response to the modeler.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one code executor for receiving code from the code generator and executing a portion of the code.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the modeler includes a graphical user interface.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein each rule set includes at least one rule.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one rule set includes a pattern matching rule.

20. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions, which when loaded into a digital computational device establishes a system for analyzing a business process, the system comprising:

a first rule set comprising at least one rule;

a second rule set comprising at least one rule, wherein said at least one rule from said first rule set and said at least one rule from said second rule set are linked by at least a portion of said business process;

a workflow model of at least a portion of the business process;

a means for identifying rule parameters and characterizing interaction between said first rule set and said second rule set according to criteria that define potential functional interactions between the rule sets;

an interface means for modifying the workflow; and

means for enabling a user to analyze and understand an overall workflow and its components.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the workflow model comprises reusable chunks.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for identifying rule parameters detects dependency relationships among rules by input and output parameters.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the interface means comprises a graphical user interface.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the workflow model comprises at least one path and at least one node.