Workflow systems and methods for project management and information management

• US 7,546,346 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Ouchi, Norman Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): NEURAUTER, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US10/037,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,727 Days
• Field of Search: 709201-202, 709206-208, 709/238
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention relates to workflow systems and methods. In one embodiment, the invention relates to integration of a calendar system with a workflow system where a calendar event can initiate a workflow by sending a message to a form route manager. The completion of a workflow or step in the workflow can result in sending a message to a calendar system to generate an event. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the integration of workflow with a project management system that includes project segments, which are processes that can be defined and controlled by workflow routes. The project management system sends a message to the workflow system to initiate workflow and the workflow system sends a message to the project management system, for example, at the completion of the workflow route. The relationship between the workflow routes can maintain the relationship between the project segments. If the relationships between project segments change, the relationship between the workflow routes changes without added effort.

Claims

1. A workflow system, comprising:

a memory; and

a form route manager for receiving and sending email according to a route, the route comprising a step-by-step sequence of email addresses, at least a portion of the form route manager including at least a portion of the memory, wherein the form route manager includes;

an in-box adapted to receive email;

a first sequencer adapted to as follows;

compare a step field of the email with the route,

define the next email address based on the compare,

update the email address to the next email address,

update the step field to the next step; and

an out-box adapted to send the email without the route to the next email address.

4. The workflow system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the email contains a project identifier.

5. The workflow system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the route is associated with a project.

8. The workflow system of claim 1 or 2, wherein a workflow is initiated when a project is initiated or completed.

9. The workflow system of claim 1, wherein the form route manager communicates with a project management system and wherein the project management system sends a message at a project segment to the form route manager to initiate workflow on the route.

2. A workflow system, comprising:

a memory; and

a form route manager for receiving and sending email according to a route, the route comprising a step-by-step sequence of email addresses, at least a portion of the form route manager including at least a portion of the memory, wherein the form route manager includes;

an in-box adapted to receive email;

a first sequencer adapted to as follows;

compare a step field of the email with the route,

define the next email address based on the compare,

update the email address to the next email address,

update the step field to the next step; and

an out-box adapted to send email to the next email address.

3. The workflow system of claim 2, wherein the email includes a project control field with a value that permits selection of a project in the project to role to email address table.

6. The workflow system of claim 2, wherein the email includes a project control field with a value that permits selection of a plurality of email addresses in the project to role to email address table.

7. The workflow system of claim 3, further comprising an organization table mapping persons in the organization table to the roles in the project to role to email address table.

10. A workflow system, comprising:

a memory; and

a form route manager for receiving and sending email according to a route, the route comprising a step-by-step sequence of email addresses, at least a portion of the form route manager including at least a portion of the memory, wherein the form route manager includes;

an in-box adapted to receive email;

a first sequencer adapted to as follows;

compare a step field of the email with the route,

define the next email address based on the compare,

update the email address to the next email address,

update the step field to the next step; and

an out-box adapted to send email to the next email address, wherein the form route manager sends a message to the project management system at a project segment.

11. The workflow system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the message includes the time the message was sent.

12. The workflow system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the message contains a segment identifier.

13. The workflow system of claim 9 or 10, wherein a workflow route is associated with a project segment.

14. The workflow system of claim 10, wherein the project management system calculates the project schedule based on the message.

15. The workflow system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the message is an email message.

16. The workflow system of claim 9 or 10, wherein a workflow is initiated when a project segment is initiated or completed.

17. The workflow system of claim 10, wherein the route defines the project segment.