JP2011191964A - Workflow management method, program and workflow management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workflow management method, a program and a workflow management device, for achieving efficient workflow work. <P>SOLUTION: In a workflow management system having a workflow server 1 and a schedule server, the workflow server 1 includes a workflow path table 112 that is information of responsible persons capable of taking charge of a workflow, and the schedule server includes a schedule management table that is information related to schedules of the responsible persons. The workflow server 1 selects a responsible person having an idle time at an earliest date of the responsible persons stored in the responsible person information from the schedule management table to calculate a shortest workflow path that is a workflow path having shortest path length. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for a workflow management method, a program, and a workflow management apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, it is possible to ensure evidence that the approval of work constituting a workflow without an electronic document has been objectively performed by an appropriate person and to allow the person to recognize the responsibility for the approval act. A workflow server, a workflow management method, a program, and a storage medium are disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a predetermined process among a plurality of processes is automatically executed regardless of the manual operation of the operator of the terminal device, or processing end times of the plurality of processes are predicted. There has been disclosed a workflow management apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of processing stagnation by an operator of a terminal device by notifying in advance and improving the efficiency of information processing operations including a plurality of processes by route control.

JP 2009-289060 A JP-A-10-340300

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a spoofing action such as replacing the approval result with the approval result of another document can be performed.
In addition, there is a problem that the urgent proxy approval act in the absence of the approver cannot be handled and the workflow is delayed until the approval is completed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when processing stagnation occurs, it is possible to notify that processing stagnation has occurred, but there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent processing stagnation in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to realize efficient workflow work.

A workflow management method by a workflow management system having a workflow management device for managing a workflow, wherein the workflow management device includes information on a person in charge who is in charge of a workflow and information on a schedule of the person in charge. The schedule management information is stored in the storage unit, and the person in charge who has free time at the earliest date and time is selected from the schedule management information. The shortest workflow path, which is the workflow path of, is calculated.
Other solutions are described as appropriate in the embodiments.

  According to the present invention, efficient workflow work can be realized.

It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the workflow management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the workflow server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the authentication server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the schedule server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the progress table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the workflow path | route table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the schedule management table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the person in charge list which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the black list which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline from preparation of the application form using electronic authentication in general workflow system processing to approval and settlement. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the shortest workflow path | route search process based on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the shortest workflow path | route search process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the shortest workflow path | route information which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the proxy authentication process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the proxy authentication process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the delayed workflow monitoring process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the profit analysis process which concerns on this embodiment.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure and description is abbreviate | omitted.

"overall structure"
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a workflow management system according to the present embodiment.
The workflow management system 20 includes a workflow server (workflow management device) 1, an authentication server (authentication device) 2, a schedule server (workflow management device) 3, a user terminal 4, and a mobile terminal 6 connected to each other via a network 7. ing.
The workflow server 1 has functions for performing workflow progress management, calculating the shortest workflow path, and the like.
The authentication server 2 has a function of performing various authentication processes.
The schedule server 3 has a function of managing the schedule of the person in charge.
The user terminal 4 has a function of creating an application target file to be a workflow target and sending the biometric information acquired from the connected biometric information reading device 5 to the authentication server 2. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 10 and the like, the user terminal 4 becomes an approval requester terminal 4a, an approver terminal 4b, an approver terminal 4c, or the like depending on a person in charge.
The mobile terminal 6 is a communication terminal that can be carried by the user, such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 14, the mobile terminal 6 becomes an approver mobile terminal 6a, a proxy approver mobile terminal 6b, or the like depending on the person in charge.

<Workflow server>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the workflow server according to the present embodiment.
The workflow server 1 includes a processing unit 100 that processes information, a storage unit 110 that stores information, and a transmission / reception unit 120 that transmits and receives information.
The processing unit 100 includes a transmission / reception processing unit 101, a progress table management unit 102, a shortest workflow path search unit 103, a delayed workflow management unit 104, and a profit management unit 105.
The transmission / reception processing unit 101 has a function of transmitting / receiving information via the transmission / reception unit 120.
The progress table management unit 102 has a function of managing the progress table 111 such as updating the progress table 111 stored in the storage unit 110.
The shortest workflow path search unit 103 calculates a workflow path (specification of each person in charge) capable of making the earliest decision based on the schedule information of the person in charge acquired from the schedule server 3 (FIG. 1).
The delayed workflow management unit 104 has a function of detecting a delayed workflow based on the progress table 111 and the like and notifying the person in charge of the delay.
The profit management unit 105 has a function of calculating a workflow processing unit price from the workflow work time, and storing the customer purchase information acquired from a dealer server (not shown) and the calculated workflow processing unit price in the storage unit 110 in association with each other.

  The storage unit 110 stores a progress table (progress information) 111 that stores the progress status of the workflow, a workflow path table (person information) 112 that stores persons in charge of each stage of the workflow, A person-in-charge list 113 in which information related to the user terminal 4 used by the person in charge is stored, and a black list (delayed person-in-charge information) 114, which is a list of persons in charge with work delay, are stored. Each table 111-114 will be described later.

《Authentication server》
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the authentication server according to the present embodiment.
The authentication server 2 includes a processing unit 200 that processes information, a storage unit 210 that stores information, and a transmission / reception unit 220 that transmits and receives information.
The processing unit 200 includes a transmission / reception processing unit 201, an authentication unit 202, and a proxy ID (Identification) management unit 203.
The transmission / reception processing unit 201 has a function of transmitting / receiving information via the transmission / reception unit 220.
The authentication unit 202 has a function of performing various authentication processes.
When there is no approver or authorizer, the proxy ID management unit 203 issues a proxy ID (proxy identification information) for approval or approval on behalf of the approver or authorizer, When the proxy decision is completed, the issued proxy ID is disabled, and the proxy ID is managed.
The storage unit 210 stores the person-in-charge stamp information 211 in association with the person-in-charge ID.

<< Schedule Server >>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the schedule server according to the present embodiment.
The schedule server 3 includes a processing unit 300 that processes information, a storage unit 310 that stores information, and a transmission / reception unit 320 that transmits and receives information.
The processing unit 300 includes a transmission / reception processing unit 301 and a schedule information acquisition unit 302.
The transmission / reception processing unit 301 has a function of transmitting / receiving information via the transmission / reception unit 320.
The schedule information acquisition unit 302 has a function of acquiring schedule information of a person in charge related to a workflow from the schedule management table (schedule management information) 311 stored in the storage unit 310 and transmitting the schedule information to the workflow server 1 (FIG. 1). Have.
The storage unit 310 stores a schedule management table 311 in which schedule information for each person in charge is stored. The schedule management table 311 will be described later.

  The processing units 100, 200, and 300 and the units 101 to 105, 201 to 203, 301, and 302 executed in the processing units 100, 200, and 300 in FIGS. The program stored in the HD (Hard Disk) is developed in a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the tables 111 to 114 and 311 will be described along FIGS. 5 to 9.
<Progress table>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a progress table according to the present embodiment.
The progress table 111 is a table for managing the progress status of the workflow, and is a table created for each workflow by the administrator.
The progress table 111 has the following information.
The workflow ID is identification information assigned to each workflow.
The workflow registration date and time is the date and time when the application target file created by the user terminal 4 or the like is sent to the workflow server 1, and indicates the date and time when the workflow work occurred.
The workflow completion scheduled date and time is the workflow completion scheduled date and time.
The workflow status is information indicating the progress status of the current workflow, and stores information such as an approval request and an approval request.
The approval requester ID is the person in charge ID of the person in charge who created the application target file and requested approval.
The creation date and time is the date and time when the application target file is created.

The approver ID is a person in charge ID of a person in charge who has approved the application target file.
The proxy approval flag is a flag indicating whether or not proxy approval has been performed because there is no approver or the like. For example, “1” indicates that proxy approval has been performed, and “0” indicates that proxy approval has been performed. Indicates no.
The proxy approver ID is a person-in-charge ID of a person who performed the proxy approval when the proxy approval is performed. When proxy approval is not performed, the column of proxy approver ID is blank.
The approval date and time is the date and time when the approval was performed.

The approver ID is a person in charge ID of a person in charge who has approved the application target file.
The proxy approval flag is a flag indicating whether or not proxy approval has been performed due to the absence of the authorizer. For example, “1” indicates that proxy approval has been performed, and “0” indicates that proxy approval has been performed. Indicates no.
The substitute authorizer ID is a person in charge ID of a person who made the proxy decision when the proxy decision was made. When proxy approval is not performed, the column of proxy authorizer ID is blank.
The date and time of approval is the date and time when the approval was made.

  The warning e-mail (Electric Mail) transmission information is information related to the warning e-mail transmission to the person in charge due to the workflow work delay, the person-in-charge ID of the person in charge who sent the warning e-mail, and the warning e-mail to the person in charge. Has a warning e-mail transmission flag indicating that it has been transmitted.

Here, the approval requester ID, the approver ID, and the approver ID are information stored when the corresponding progress table 111 is created.
The workflow server 1 manages a person who can log in by each ID stored in the columns of the approval requester ID, the approver ID, the proxy approver ID, the approver ID, and the proxy approver ID.

《Workflow route table》
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow route table according to the present embodiment.
The workflow route table 112 is a table in which information on a person in charge related to a workflow work is stored, and is a table created for each workflow.
The workflow route table 112 has the following information.
The workflow ID is identification information of a target workflow.
The person-in-charge IDs of the persons in charge who are candidates for the approver, authorizer, proxy approver, and proxy authorizer are stored below. FIG. 6 shows a case where approval is required N times and approval is required M times.
In each column of the approver, the approver, the proxy approver, and the proxy approver, a plurality of person-in-charge IDs are stored, indicating that these persons in charge are candidates for corresponding approval and approval. . From among these, who is to be the approver and the approver is selected by the shortest workflow route search process described later.

<Schedule management table>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schedule management table according to the present embodiment.
The schedule management table 311 is a table managed in the schedule server 3, and is a table created for each person in charge and for each day.
The schedule management table 311 has the following information.
The person-in-charge ID is the ID of the person in charge who is the object, and the schedule date is the date that is the object. In FIG. 7, the table is managed for each day, but may be managed in units of months, years, and the like.
The approval / approval possible period determined by the approval / approval start time and the approval / finalization end time is a period during which the person in charge can approve or make an approval.
The e-mail destination is a sending destination such as a warning e-mail for delaying work, and the emergency e-mail destination is an e-mail destination different from the e-mail destination, such as a private e-mail destination of the person in charge.

  The presence information is information indicating whether or not the person in charge is present at the corresponding time, and indicates whether or not the person in charge is present at the corresponding time by an presence flag. Here, as for the presence flag, “1” is present and “0” is absent. In the example of FIG. 7, the person in charge “M050” is absent from 9:01 to 11:00, and is present from 11:01. Although FIG. 7 shows a schedule of presence / absence every 30 minutes, it may be every 10 minutes or every hour.

  Here, the approval / approval possible period determined by the approval / approval start time and the approval / approval end time takes precedence over the presence information schedule. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the person in charge “M050” is present from 11:01 based on the presence information, but the approval / approval possible period is 13:00 to 16:00. : 01 to 13:00 indicates that approval / decision cannot be made even if the user is present.

《List of persons in charge》
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a person-in-charge list according to the present embodiment.
The person-in-charge list 113 is information stored in the storage unit 110 of the workflow server 1, and the list of person-in-charge IDs is associated with the ID of the user terminal 4 (user terminal ID) used by the person in charge. Stored. The person-in-charge list 113 may store information such as the name and department of the person in charge.

"blacklist"
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a black list according to the present embodiment.
The black list 114 stores information on the person in charge in which the work is delayed, and the person in charge ID of the person in charge in which the work is delayed and the number of times the work has not progressed even if a warning email is transmitted. A certain delay count is stored as pair information. A method of creating the black list 114 will be described later.

《General workflow system processing》
Prior to the description of the present embodiment, general workflow system processing will be described with reference to FIG. 10 with reference to FIGS. In addition, although the process of the user terminal 4 in this embodiment is a process by the exclusive program currently performed by the user terminal 4, in this embodiment, this is abbreviate | omitted and described.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline from creation of an application form (application target file) using electronic authentication to approval and settlement in general workflow system processing.
First, using the approval requester terminal 4a (user terminal 4), the approval requester creates an electronic file to be applied (application target file 10) (S101). This application target file 10 is in the “waiting for approval” state (approval waiting application target file 10a).
Next, when the approval requester terminal 4a logs in to the workflow server 1 using the approval requester ID, the approval request application file 10a is transmitted to the workflow server 1 via the network 7 such as the Internet (S102). .

  When the processing unit 100 of the workflow server 1 accepts the login of the approval requester based on the approval requester ID of the progress table 111, the progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 that has received the approval pending application target file 10a Occurrence of a new workflow is registered in the progress table 111 stored in the storage unit 110 of the workflow server 1 (S103). For example, the workflow server 1 registers the creation date and time, the scheduled workflow completion date and time, etc. in the corresponding progress table 111 using the workflow ID transmitted together with the approval pending application target file 10a as a key, and sets the current date and time as the workflow registration date and time. Register and set the workflow status to "Applying for approval". The progress table 111 is created in advance by an approval requester, and a workflow ID, an approval requester ID, an approver ID, an authorizer ID, and the like are registered by the approval requester. The approval requester ID, the approver ID, and the authorizer ID are input to the progress table 111 by the approval requester based on the shortest workflow path information described later.

After the occurrence of a new workflow is registered in the progress table 111, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 transmits the approval-waiting application target file 10a to the approver terminal 4b (user terminal 4) via the network 7. (S104). In this embodiment, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 searches the person-in-charge list 113 using the approver ID stored in the corresponding progress table 111 as a key, and the approver terminal 4b used by the corresponding approver. The user terminal ID is acquired, and the approval waiting application target file 10a is transmitted to the user terminal ID.
The approver terminal 4b that has received the approval-waiting application target file 10a displays the received approval-waiting application target file 10a on a display unit (not shown) such as a display.
Then, the approver terminal 4b acquires the approver's biometric information from the biometric information reader 5 connected to the approver terminal 4b (S105), and transmits the approver's biometric information acquired via the network 7 to the authentication server 2. (S106). Here, the biometric information includes fingerprint information, palm vein information, finger vein information, and the like.

Upon receiving the approver's biometric information, the authentication unit 202 of the authentication server 2 performs biometric authentication processing for comparing the transmitted biometric information of the approver with the biometric information of the registered approver (S107). The result (authentication information) is transmitted to the approver terminal 4b (S108).
Here, as a result of the biometric authentication process, if the transmitted biometric information of the approver does not match the biometric information of the registered approver, the approver terminal 4b displays an error and ends the process.
As a result of the biometric authentication process, if they match, the authentication unit 202 of the authentication server 2 acquires the approver's seal information 211 from the storage unit 210 and adds the approver's seal information 211 to the authentication information.
The approver terminal 4b that has received the authentication information and the approver's seal information 211 adds the authentication information and the seal information 211 included in the authentication information to the application target file 10, and creates the approval-waiting application target file 10b. (S109).

Then, when the approver terminal 4b logs in to the workflow server 1 using the approver ID, the approval request application target file 10b is transmitted to the workflow server 1 via the network 7 (S110). .
When the processing unit 100 of the workflow server 1 accepts the authorizer's login based on the authorizer ID of the progress table 111, the progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 that has received the final approval request file 10b receives the progress table. The progress status 111 is updated by changing the workflow status of 111 to “waiting for payment” and registering the current date and time in the approval date and time column (S111).

.
After the update of the progress table 111, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 transmits the approval waiting application target file 10b to the approver terminal 4c (user terminal 4) via the network 7 (S112). In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 searches the person-in-charge list 113 using the authorizer ID stored in the corresponding progress table 111 as a key, and the corresponding authorizer uses it. The user terminal ID of the authorizer terminal 4c is acquired, and the approval waiting application target file 10b is transmitted to the user terminal ID.
The approver terminal 4c that has received the approval waiting application target file 10b displays the received approval waiting application target file 10b on a display unit (not shown) such as a display.
Next, when the authorizer terminal 4c acquires the biometric information of the authorizer from the biometric information reader 5 connected to the authorizer terminal 4c (S113), the authentication server 2 uses the acquired biometric information of the authorizer via the network 7. (S114).

The authentication unit 202 of the authentication server 2 that has received the biometric information of the authorizer performs biometric authentication processing that compares the transmitted biometric information of the authorizer with the biometric information of the registered authorizer (S115). The result (authentication information) is transmitted to the authorizer terminal 4c (S116).
Here, as a result of the biometric authentication process, if the transmitted biometric information of the authorizer and the biometric information of the registered approver do not match, the authorizer terminal 4c displays an error and ends the process.
If the result of the biometric authentication processing is a match, the authentication unit 202 acquires the authorizer stamp information 211 from the storage unit 210 and adds the authorizer stamp information 211 to the authentication information.
The authorizer terminal 4c, which has received the authentication information and the authorizer's seal information 211, assigns the authentication information and the approver's seal information 211 included in the authentication information to the approval wait application target file 10b, and submits an approval completion application. The target file 10c is created (S117).

When the authorizer terminal 4c logs in to the workflow server 1 using the authorizer ID, the authorizer terminal 4c transmits the approval completion application target file 10c to the workflow server 1 via the network 7 (S118).
When the processing unit 100 of the workflow server 1 accepts the approver's login based on the approver ID of the progress table 111, the progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 that has received the approval completion application target file 10c The progress table 111 is updated by changing the workflow status of 111 to “settlement completed” and registering the current date and time as the approval date and time (S119).

<< Shortest workflow route search process >>
Next, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, along FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the route for completing the settlement in the shortest number of days / time according to this embodiment is searched. The shortest workflow route search process will be described. Note that the shortest application flowchart search process is a process performed before step S101 in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of the shortest workflow route search process according to the present embodiment.
When the approval requester selects and inputs a predetermined button displayed on the display unit of the approval requester terminal 4a with a mouse or the like, the approval requester terminal 4a sends the shortest workflow route search request to be applied from now on to the workflow. It transmits to the server 1 (S201). As described above, the workflow ID has already been determined, and the target workflow ID is stored in the shortest workflow route search request.
The shortest workflow route search unit 103 of the workflow server 1 that has received the route search request searches the workflow route table 112 and all the person-in-charge IDs (approver ID, proxy approver ID, authorizer ID, proxy) related to the corresponding workflow. (Authorizer ID) is acquired (S202). The workflow route table 112 is created in advance by an approval requester, and each person-in-charge ID is also registered in the workflow route table 112 in advance by the approval requester. Alternatively, the workflow ID of the workflow path table 112 stores the workflow type, and the shortest workflow path is based on a list in which the workflow ID and workflow ID stored separately in the storage unit 110 are associated with each other. The search unit 103 may determine the workflow type and acquire the corresponding person in charge from the corresponding workflow route table 112.

  Next, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 transmits a schedule information acquisition request including the acquired person-in-charge ID to the schedule server 3 (S203), whereby the schedule information of each person in charge is sent to the schedule server 3. Request acquisition.

The schedule information acquisition unit 302 of the schedule server 3 that has received the schedule information acquisition request searches the schedule management table 311 based on the person-in-charge ID included in the schedule information acquisition request, and acquires the schedule information of the person in charge. (S204). The process of step S204 will be described later with reference to FIG.
Then, the transmission / reception processing unit 301 of the schedule server 3 transmits the acquired schedule information of each person in charge to the workflow server 1 (S205).
The shortest workflow route search unit 103 of the workflow server 1 performs the shortest workflow search described later in FIG. 12 based on the acquired schedule information of each person in charge (S206), and the number of days / time from approval to completion of settlement The shortest workflow path that is the shortest is calculated.
The transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 transmits the calculated shortest workflow path information to the approval requester terminal 4a (S207), and the approval requester terminal 4a that has received the shortest workflow path displays the shortest workflow path itself. Displayed in the section.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the shortest workflow route search process according to this embodiment.
First, the workflow server 1 receives a shortest workflow route search request from the approval requester terminal 4a (S301). Step S301 is processing corresponding to step S201 of FIG.
Next, the shortest workflow path search unit 103 of the workflow server 1 searches the workflow path table 112 using the workflow ID included in the shortest workflow path search request (step S201 in FIG. 11) as a key (S302), and the corresponding workflow. The person-in-charge IDs (approver ID, proxy approver ID, authorizer ID and proxy authorizer ID) of all persons in charge are acquired (S303). Steps S302 and S303 are processes corresponding to step S202 in FIG.
The transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 transmits the acquired person-in-charge ID to the schedule server 3, and the schedule search unit of the schedule server 3 that has acquired the person-in-charge ID uses the person-in-charge ID as a key in the schedule management table 311. (S304), the free time of all the persons in charge is acquired (S305), and the approval / approval period determined by the applicable approval / approval start time and approval / approval end time is also a schedule management table. 311. This process corresponds to the process in step S204 in FIG. The idle time is the time when the flag is “1” in the schedule management table 311.
Then, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 transmits the acquired idle time and approval / approval period to the workflow 1 as schedule information. This process corresponds to step S205 in FIG. The schedule information includes each approval (first approval, second approval,...), Each proxy approval (first proxy approval, second proxy approval,...), Each approval (first approval, second approval) ), Each proxy decision (first proxy decision, second proxy decision,...) Is associated with the person-in-charge ID, free time, and approval / decision possible period.

The shortest workflow path search unit 103 of the workflow server 1 that has received the schedule information refers to the received schedule information and determines whether there is an approver having a free time (S306).
If there is an approver having a free time as a result of step S306 (S306 → Yes), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 selects an approver having a free time at the earliest date and time within the approval / decision possible period (S307). ).
Then, the shortest workflow path search unit 103 determines whether there is another approval (second approval, third approval,...) (S308). This takes into account the case where a plurality of approvals are required in the workflow path table 112.
If there is another approval as a result of step S308 (S308 → Yes), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 returns the process to step S306, and performs the processes of steps S306 to S308 for the next approval.

  In step S306, if there is no approver having a free time (S306 → No), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 performs the same processing as in steps S307 and S308 for the proxy approver (S309).

If there is no other approval as a result of step S308 (S308 → No), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 refers to the received schedule information and determines whether there is an authorizer having a free time (S310). .
As a result of step S310, when there is an authorizer having an idle time (S310 → Yes), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 selects an authorizer having an idle time at the earliest date and time within the approval / authorization available period (S311). ).
Then, the shortest workflow path search unit 103 determines whether there is another approval (second approval, third approval,...) (S312). This takes into consideration the case where a plurality of decisions are required in the workflow path table 112.
As a result of step S312, when there is another approval (S312 → Yes), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 returns the processing to step S310, and performs the processing of steps S310 to S312 for the next approval.

  In step S306, when there is no authorizer having a free time (S310 → No), the shortest workflow path search unit 103 performs the same processing as the steps S311 and S312 on the proxy authorizer (S313).

  As a result of step S312, when there is no other approval (S312 → No), the shortest workflow route search unit 103 connects the approver ID selected in step S307 and step S311 and the approver ID to obtain the shortest workflow route. Then, the shortest workflow path information is output to the approval requester terminal 4a (S314). Note that the processing in steps S306 to S312 in FIG. 12 is processing corresponding to step S206 in FIG. 11, and the processing in step S314 is processing corresponding to step S207 in FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the processing of step S306 to step S314 is performed by the workflow server 1, but not limited thereto, the processing may be performed by the schedule server 3.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the shortest workflow path information according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 13, the shortest workflow route information stores the approver ID and the approver ID determined in the process of FIG. The example shown in FIG. 13 is a case where both approval and approval are performed once. However, when performing approval and approval multiple times, the shortest workflow path information includes the second approver, the third approver,... The second authorizer, the third authorizer approver ID, and authorizer ID are stored.

《Proxy authentication processing》
Next, the proxy authentication process will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15, and 15 with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5.
When it is assumed that the application workflow is not completed due to the absence of the approver or the approver, this process is performed by making a proxy application approval request via the mobile terminal 6 (such as a mobile phone) of the approver or the approver. Approval processing or approval processing is performed. This proxy authentication process is a process performed at the approval / approval stage of steps S105 to S109 or steps S113 to S117 in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of proxy authentication processing according to the present embodiment. Although FIG. 14 shows the approval stage, it can be realized by performing the same processing at the final approval stage.
First, the approval requester terminal 4a (4) or the workflow server 1 indicates that a proxy approval request is sent to the mobile terminal 6 (approver mobile terminal 6a) owned by the approver (first person in charge). The described e-mail is transmitted (S401). This email describes the target workflow ID. For example, the workflow server 1 may transmit an e-mail when receiving an e-mail transmission request sent from the approval requester terminal 4a. If a proxy approver is selected in the shortest workflow path information, the proxy approver ID can be described in the email.

The approver mobile terminal 6a that has received the e-mail describing the proxy approval request displays the content of the e-mail on the screen. The approver who has seen the e-mail transmits a proxy ID acquisition request from the approver mobile terminal 6a to the authentication server 2 (S402). The proxy ID acquisition request includes the workflow ID of the corresponding workflow and the proxy approver ID.
The proxy ID management unit 203 of the authentication server 2 that has received the proxy ID acquisition request issues a proxy ID (S403). The proxy ID is a time-limited ID, for example.
The transmission / reception processing unit 201 of the authentication server 2 that issued the proxy ID transmits the proxy approver ID and workflow ID included in the proxy ID acquisition request to the workflow server 1 (S404), and the proxy approver ID, The progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 that has received the workflow ID updates the progress table 111 by registering the received proxy approver ID in the proxy approver ID column of the progress table 111 (S405). Note that the process in step S405 may be directly updated by the approver using the approver terminal 4b.

Further, the transmission / reception processing unit 201 of the authentication server 2 transmits the proxy ID to the authentication server 2 and also to the approver mobile terminal 6a (S406).
In step S407, the approver who acquired the proxy ID with the approver mobile body verbally notifies the proxy ID acquired to the mobile terminal 6 (proxy approver mobile terminal 6b) of the proxy approver (second person in charge). (S408).
The proxy approver transmits the proxy ID to the authentication server 2 together with its own proxy approver ID via the proxy approver terminal 4d (4) (S409). The processing unit 200 of the authentication server 2 recognizes the login of the proxy approver, and thereafter, the proxy authenticator terminal 4d and the authentication server 2 perform the approval process by performing the same processes as steps S105 to S109 of FIG. At this time, the authentication unit 202 of the authentication server 2 acquires the proxy approver's seal information 211 indicating that it is a proxy from the storage unit 210 instead of the approver's seal information 211 of FIG. Is sent to the proxy approver terminal 4d. The proxy approver terminal 4d creates the approval waiting application target file 10b (FIG. 10) to which the proxy approver's seal information 211 is added.

  Then, when the proxy approver terminal 4d logs in to the workflow server 1 using the proxy approver ID, the approval waiting application target file 10b is transmitted to the workflow server 1 (corresponding to step S110 in FIG. 10). Since the proxy approver ID is registered in the progress table 111 of the workflow server 1 by the method described later, the workflow server 1 uses the proxy approver ID registered in the progress table 111 as a proxy approver. Allow login of. When the processing unit 100 of the workflow server 1 recognizes the proxy approver's login based on the proxy approver ID of the progress table 111, the progress table management unit 102 sets the proxy approval flag of the progress table 111, and the approval date and time. Is registered (corresponding to step S111 in FIG. 10).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of proxy authentication processing according to the present embodiment.
First, the approver transmits a proxy ID acquisition request to the authentication server 2 via the approver mobile terminal 6a (S501). This process corresponds to step S402 in FIG.
The proxy ID management unit 203 of the authentication server 2 issues a unique proxy ID and associates it with the proxy approver ID and workflow ID included in the proxy ID acquisition request until the issued proxy ID is used. The proxy ID is stored in its own storage unit 210 (S502).
Then, the proxy ID issued by the transmission / reception processing unit 201 of the authentication server 2 is transmitted to the approver mobile terminal 6a (S503). The process in step S503 is a process corresponding to step S406 in FIG.
The approver who has received the proxy ID at the approver mobile terminal 6a verbally notifies the proxy approver of the request for proxy approval using the approver mobile terminal 6a and the proxy ID (S504). The process in step S504 is a process corresponding to step S408 in FIG.

Further, the transmission / reception processing unit 201 of the authentication server 2 transmits the workflow ID included in the proxy ID acquisition request and the proxy approver ID to the workflow server 1. The progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 that has received the workflow ID and the proxy approver ID registers the received proxy approver ID in the column of the proxy approver ID of the progress table 111 corresponding to the received workflow ID. (S505). By doing so, even if the proxy approver logs in to the workflow server 1, the workflow server 1 does not return a login refusal. Note that the processing in step S505 is processing corresponding to step S405 in FIG.
The proxy approver performs proxy approval after the biometric information authentication process via the proxy approver terminal 4b (S506). The process in step S506 is the same as the process in steps S105 to S109 in FIG.
Then, the proxy ID management unit 203 of the authentication server 2 that detects the completion of the proxy approval process discards the held proxy ID or sets the proxy ID to a state where it cannot be used (S507). For example, when the proxy approval flag in the progress table 111 of the workflow server 1 is set, the transmission / reception processing unit 101 of the workflow server 1 sends the authentication ID to the authentication server 2 and corresponds to the workflow ID. This is done by sending information indicating the completion of proxy approval in the workflow.

The proxy approver may be arbitrarily selected by the approver. Further, the authentication server 2 inquires the schedule server 3 (FIG. 1) about a person whose schedule is vacant, and the schedule server 3 refers to the schedule management table 311 to identify a person whose schedule is currently vacant. The proxy approver may be selected by notifying the person specified in 2 or the authentication server 2 may select the proxy approver at random. In these cases, the authentication server 2 notifies the approver mobile terminal 6a of the proxy ID, and also notifies information related to the proxy approver.
Further, when a predetermined button is pressed from the screen of the approver mobile communication terminal, the information may be transmitted to the authentication server 2, and the authentication server 2 may automatically select a person in charge at random.
Further, the approver who has provisionally approved or the authorizer may perform the final approval / settlement when he / she is enrolled.

《Delayed workflow monitoring process》
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9, the delayed workflow monitoring process according to the present embodiment will be described along FIG. The delayed workflow monitoring process is a process for monitoring a workflow in which delays frequently occur and for contacting a person in charge at the location where the delay occurs.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the delayed workflow monitoring process according to the present embodiment.
First, the delayed workflow management unit 104 of the workflow server 1 searches the progress table 111 (S601), and calculates the elapsed time and allowable time in each workflow (S602). The elapsed time is calculated as the difference between the current date and time and the workflow registration date and time in the progress table 111, and the allowable time is calculated as the difference between the workflow completion scheduled date and time in the progress table 111 and the workflow registration date and time. Furthermore, if the approval completion scheduled date and time, final approval date and time, etc. are stored in the progress table 111, it is possible to check the delay at each stage.

Next, the delayed workflow management unit 104 determines whether there is a workflow whose elapsed time is equal to or longer than the allowable time (S603).
As a result of step S603, when there is no workflow whose elapsed time is equal to or longer than the allowable time (S603 → No), the delayed workflow management unit 104 returns the process to step S601.
As a result of step S603, when there is a workflow whose elapsed time is equal to or longer than the allowable time (S603 → Yes), the delayed workflow management unit 104 refers to the progress table 111 and identifies the person in charge in which the delay has occurred ( S604). For example, the approval date / time of the progress table 111 is registered, but if the approval date / time is not registered, the delayed workflow management unit 104 determines that a delay has occurred at the approver.

Then, the delayed workflow management unit 104 refers to the warning email transmission information in the progress table 111 and determines whether or not an email has been sent to the specified person in charge (S605).
If the e-mail to the person in charge has been sent as a result of step S605 (S605 → Yes), the delayed workflow management unit 104 adds 1 to the person's delay count in the black list 114 (S606). The process returns to S601. If the person in charge is not registered in the black list 114, the delayed workflow management unit 104 newly registers the person in charge in the black list 114 and registers one delay count.

As a result of step S605, if the e-mail to the person in charge has not been sent (S605 → No), the delayed workflow management unit 104 sends the person-in-charge ID of the person in charge corresponding to the schedule server 3 to When the mail address and the urgent e-mail address are inquired and the processing unit 300 of the schedule server 3 acquires the corresponding e-mail address and the urgent e-mail address from the schedule management table 311, the e-mail acquired by the transmission / reception processing unit 301 to the workflow server 1. Send destination and emergency email destination.
The delayed workflow management unit 104 transmits a warning email describing the occurrence of a delay to the received email destination (S607).
Further, the delayed workflow management unit 104 transmits a delayed email to the received emergency email destination (S608), and returns the process to step S601.

  Note that the process of step S606 may be performed without the process of step S605. In other words, the person in charge in which the workflow delay has occurred may be identified in step S604, and the person in charge in which the workflow delay has occurred may be registered in the black list 114 by performing the processing in step S606.

《Profit analysis processing》
Next, the profit analysis process according to the present embodiment will be described along FIG. 17 with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of profit analysis processing according to the present embodiment.
First, the workflow management system 20 starts a workflow (S701), creates an estimate that is the application target file 10 (S702), requests an approval (S703), completes the approval (S704), makes an approval request, The approval is completed (S705).

When the completion of approval is detected, the progress table management unit 102 of the workflow server 1 registers the approval date and time in the progress table 111 (S706). Note that the processing in steps S701 to S706 is the processing in steps S101 to S119 in FIG.
Next, the profit management unit 105 calculates the workflow work time from the difference between the approval date / time of the progress table 111 and the workflow registration date / time (S707), and multiplies the calculated workflow work time by a preset time unit price. The workflow processing unit price is calculated (S708).
The profit management unit 105 obtains from the attendance management table (not shown) the attendance time and leaving time of the person in charge during the workflow processing period, which is the difference between the approval date and time of the progress table 111 and the workflow registration date and time. Workflow work time may be calculated.

Next, the profit management unit 105 acquires customer purchase information from a store server (not shown) installed at each store (S709), and uses the purchase amount included in the customer purchase information as a product. The associated workflow processing unit price and the workflow work time are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 110 (S710).
In this way, by associating the purchase amount, the workflow processing unit price related to the product, and the workflow work time, the administrator can analyze the relationship between the purchase information and the workflow. That is, if the workflow work time is short (the estimate is submitted early), the administrator can perform an analysis such as an increase in purchasing power. In addition, the number of applications may be stored, and the number of applications may be associated with customer purchase information.

In the present embodiment, a workflow in an application form or a quotation is assumed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any workflow may be used as long as it uses approval or approval for an electronic document.
At least two of the workflow server 1, the authentication server 2, and the schedule server 3 may be combined.

<Summary>
According to the shortest workflow route search processing according to the present embodiment, it is possible to output the shortest workflow route that has the shortest number of days / time from approval to completion of settlement, thereby improving the efficiency of the workflow.
Furthermore, by registering the approval requester ID, the approver ID, and the authorizer ID in advance in the progress table 111, the approver who should approve does not approve and the approval agent who does not have the authorization authority acts as a proxy. Actions such as approval and spoofing can be prevented.
In addition, according to the proxy authentication processing according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent problems related to internal control, compliance, and security, such as an application that requires urgent settlement due to the absence of an approver and a business opportunity being removed. Can do.

Also, according to the delayed workflow monitoring process according to the present embodiment, it is possible to review the workflow route / approver in which the delay occurs.
Then, according to the delayed workflow monitoring process according to the present embodiment, by calculating from the number of days / time from the approval request to the settlement, the profit / gain / loss received by the company by the application, the number of applications, etc. It becomes possible to analyze the relationship between the workflow processing unit price and customer purchase.

1 Workflow server (workflow management device)
2 Authentication server (authentication device)
3 Schedule server (workflow management device)
4 User terminal 6 Mobile terminal 10 Application target file (electronic document)
20 workflow management system 102 progress table management unit 103 shortest workflow route search unit 104 delayed workflow management unit 105 profit management unit 111 progress table (progress information)
112 Workflow route table (person-in-charge information)
114 Black List (Delay Person Information)
202 Authentication Unit 203 Proxy ID Management Unit 302 Schedule Information Acquisition Unit 311 Schedule Management Table (Schedule Management Information)

Claims (11)

A workflow management method by a workflow management system having a workflow management device for managing a workflow,
The workflow management device includes:
Personnel information that is information of the person in charge of the workflow,
Schedule management information, which is information about the schedule of the person in charge,
In the storage unit,
From the schedule management information, the shortest workflow path that is the shortest workflow path is calculated by selecting the person in charge having the free time at the earliest date among the persons in charge stored in the person in charge information. A characteristic workflow management method. The person in charge is an approver and an authorizer,
The workflow management device includes:
After selecting an approver with free time at the earliest date and time, select an approver with free time at the earliest date and time,
The workflow management method according to claim 1, wherein the shortest workflow path is information including the information on the approver and the information on the authorizer. The workflow management device includes:
The workflow management method according to claim 1, wherein an electronic document to be a workflow target is transmitted and received according to the shortest workflow path. The workflow management system further includes an authentication device for authenticating the person in charge,
The authentication device
When obtaining a proxy approval information acquisition request from the mobile terminal possessed by the first person in charge,
Issue proxy identification information,
Sending the proxy identification information to the mobile terminal;
A user terminal owned by a second person in charge different from the first person in charge who has obtained the proxy identification information from the mobile terminal has accessed the authentication device itself using the proxy identification information. The workflow management method according to claim 1, wherein an approval process is performed by the user terminal. The workflow management device includes:
Progress information storing information on the person in charge in charge of the workflow, the occurrence date and time of the workflow, and the scheduled completion date and time of the workflow, in the storage unit,
The workflow management device is
Referring to the progress information, an elapsed time that is a difference between the occurrence date and time of the workflow and a current date and time, a scheduled completion time that is a difference between the scheduled completion date and time of the workflow, and the occurrence date and time of the workflow, , And
Identify the workflow whose elapsed time has passed the scheduled completion time,
The workflow management method according to claim 1, wherein a person in charge of a workflow whose elapsed time has exceeded a scheduled completion time is identified from the progress information. The workflow management device includes:
The workflow management method according to claim 5, wherein information indicating that the workflow is delayed is notified to the identified person in charge. The workflow management device includes:
The storage unit further includes information on a person in charge of delay in which information on a person in charge who has caused a workflow delay in the past is stored,
The workflow management method according to claim 5, wherein the specified person in charge registers information on a person in charge in which the delay occurs in delay person information. The workflow management device includes:
After completion of the workflow, register the work completion date and time in the progress information,
Based on the work completion date and time, calculate the work time of the workflow,
The workflow management method according to claim 1, wherein the work unit price is calculated by multiplying the calculated work time by a preset hourly unit price. The workflow management device includes:
Obtain purchase information about the product related to the workflow from the dealer server,
The workflow management method according to claim 8, wherein the work time, the work unit price, and the purchase information related to the workflow are stored in association with each other.   A program for causing a computer to execute the workflow management method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A workflow management device for managing a workflow,
Personnel information that is information of the person in charge of the workflow,
Schedule management information, which is information about the schedule of the person in charge,
A storage unit that stores
A processing unit that calculates the shortest workflow path, which is the shortest workflow path, by selecting a person in charge having the free time at the earliest date among the persons in charge stored in the person-in-charge information from the schedule management information When,
A workflow management apparatus comprising:

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