JPWO2007026732A1 - System and method for managing business - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To manage business progress more efficiently than before. Each worker in a plurality of business processes generates process information of the business process based on process information generated in another business process, and provides it to another business process. Provides a system to manage the work to be progressed by. In this system, each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information. This system accepts a request for process information necessary for starting one business process from an operator of one business process. Then, the accepted request is displayed to other workers. And the reply of the identification information of the requested | required process information is received from another worker among each process information produced | generated in each work process which another worker takes charge of. Then, in response to receiving the response of the identification information of the process information, dependency information indicating that one business process depends on the business process for generating the process information is generated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for managing business and a method thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for generating a process flow indicating a dependency relationship between a plurality of business processes constituting a business, and a method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to make work progress management more efficient, a process flow of a work composed of a plurality of work processes has been generated. For example, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating whether each business process depends on process information generated in another business process. FIG. 1A is called a design structure matrix (see Non-Patent Document 1). In this figure, the horizontal axis indicates the dependency source of the dependency relationship, and the vertical axis indicates the dependency destination of the dependency relationship. That is, the business process B is dependent on the business process A. Further, the business process A and the business process F are dependent on each other. Conventionally, the organization of workers has been changed using Design Structure Matrix. For example, FIG. 1B is obtained by rearranging a plurality of work steps shown in FIG. If FIG.1 (b) is seen, it can be easily judged that work process A and F depend on each other. For this reason, for example, work efficiency can be improved by knitting those processes into the same organization. Similarly, it can easily be determined that work steps B, C, D, E, and G are closely dependent. For this reason, for example, work efficiency can be improved by knitting these in the same organization.

  However, when a large number of business processes have complicated dependencies, such as automobile development, it is difficult for the project manager to grasp the dependencies of all business processes. For this reason, conventionally, a consultant for process management has been employed, and the consultant has created a table describing the process information of the business process and the presence or absence of dependency between the business processes (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). .) Specifically, the consultant had to interview each worker, and the work required enormous time and money. Furthermore, even if an appropriate dependency relationship is found, in a technical field where technological innovation is remarkable, the dependency relationship differs for each product, and the dependency relationship may vary even with a slight design change. For this reason, in actual work, there are many cases where a schedule is formulated without the dependency relationship between the work processes being clarified.

  Another reason why it is difficult to specify the dependency between business processes is that a certain business process is started without waiting for completion of the upstream process. FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the relationship between each business process in the automobile development business. The horizontal direction in this figure indicates the direction of time progression. That is, the product planning process is started first, followed by processes such as exterior / interior styling and structural planning. In the example of this figure, the downstream process of a certain business process is not always started after the completion of the business process. For example, in the figure, the exterior / interior styling process begins before the product plan is completed. At this time, the product of the upstream process is provided to the downstream process in the middle of development.

Yassine, A. and Braha, D .: Complex Concurrent Engineering and the Design Structure Matrix Method, Concurrent Engineering Research & Applications, Volume 11, No. 3. Sept. 2003.

  However, in a large-scale business such as automobile development, when the concept of dependency on the process information and the dependency relationship according to the maturity level is introduced, the dependency relationship of the entire business is further complicated. For this reason, management of the entire business becomes extremely difficult, and there are many cases where a schedule is drawn up without the dependency relationship between the business processes being clarified. As a result, there has been a problem that the progress of the project cannot be visualized and the risk of additional man-hours cannot be managed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system, a method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, each worker of a plurality of business processes generates process information of the business process based on process information generated in another business process. It is a system that manages the work to be progressed by providing it to the work process of each, each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information, from the worker of one work process, A request reception unit that receives a request for process information necessary to start one business process, a request display unit that displays the received request to other workers, and each business process that other workers are in charge of Among the process information generated in the process, the response reception unit that receives the response of the identification information of the requested process information from another worker, and the response of the identification information of the process information is received System comprising a generator in which one of the business process in the business process to generate the degree information to generate dependency information indicating a dependency, a method of managing the business by the system, and a program.
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, the progress of business can be managed more efficiently than before.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the information processing system 10. The information processing system 10 includes an administrator terminal 20, worker terminals 30-1 to 30-N, and a task management system 40. The administrator terminal 20 is an information processing apparatus operated by an administrator who manages the entire business. Each of the worker terminals 30-1 to 30 -N is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of workers in charge of work, and displays information to each worker, or performs an operation from each worker. receive. The business management system 40 displays information acquired from a certain worker terminal (for example, the worker terminal 30-1) on another worker terminal (for example, the worker terminal 30-2) or the acquired information. Is displayed on the administrator terminal 20.

  The business management system 40 according to the present embodiment accepts a request for information necessary for starting the first business process from an operator of the first business process. This business process is, for example, a process of designing automobile parts. Further, this information is, for example, design information of a part that is a premise for starting the first business process, and specifically, information such as the size and weight of a certain part of the part. As an example, in the business process for designing the frame of an automobile door, the size of the part of the panel part of the door is assumed. In addition, depending on the business process, the accuracy of the required component size differs, so information indicating the accuracy may be acquired in association with the information request.

  The business management system 40 displays the received request on the worker terminal of another worker. And the business management system 40 receives the identification information of the process information containing the requested | required information among each process information produced | generated in each business process which the said other worker takes charge from another worker. . For example, in a business process for designing a part, data of sizes of various parts of the part is generated as a result of the work. These data are stored in a single file or a folder including a plurality of files. In this embodiment, such a file or folder is called process information. The business management system 40 receives the path name of the file or folder as process information identification information.

Then, the business management system 40 generates dependency information indicating that the first business process depends on the second business process for generating the process information. The business management system 40 generates process flow information indicating the dependency among a plurality of business processes constituting the entire business by sequentially repeating the above processing for other business process combinations.
As described above, the business management system 40 according to the present embodiment appropriately determines the dependency between a plurality of business processes according to requests from each worker and replies thereto even when the administrator cannot grasp the entire business. The purpose is to make use of this information to manage the progress of work.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the business management system 40. The business management system 40 includes an information display unit 400, a request reception unit 410, a request display unit 420, an answer reception unit 430, a flow generation unit 440, an information recording unit 450, a dependency recording unit 460, and a user record. Unit 470, notification unit 480, process management unit 490, and process display unit 495. The information display unit 400 displays a list of already registered process information (for example, part design information and accuracy thereof) in response to an instruction received from a worker in a certain business process. To do. Specifically, the information display unit 400 associates each piece of process information identification information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 with a list of information items included in the process information identified by the identification information. And displayed on the screen of the worker terminal of the worker, for example, the worker terminal 30-2.

  The request reception unit 410 receives a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process. The information item necessary for starting one business process may be a part of a plurality of information items included in the process information. That is, for example, the request receiving unit 410 selects an information item selected by the worker of the one business process from the information displayed by the information display unit 400, and stores information necessary for starting the one business process. It may be accepted as a request. Instead, the request reception unit 410 may newly receive an information item necessary for starting the one business process. This request may be, for example, a natural language text such as “I want to know the length of the A part of the door hinge” or data according to a predetermined format in which the part name and accuracy are associated with each other. Good. Further, the request receiving unit 410 may further receive the maturity level and the desired date of provision of the information item necessary for starting the one business process, and the identification for identifying the worker who requested the information item. Information may be further received.

  The request display unit 420 displays the received request to other workers. The request display unit 420 may display the request only to the requested worker, or may display the request to all other workers regardless of the request. Further, the request display unit 420 may display only the requested information item to other workers. In the present embodiment, the request display unit 420 displays the request on the screen of the worker terminal 30-1. Further, the request display unit 420 may display a list of process information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 so as to be selectable in association with the requested information item.

  The reply accepting unit 430 accepts, from the other worker, a reply of the requested identification information of the process information among the respective pieces of process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker. For example, the answer receiving unit 430 may receive a reply of identification information of process information including the requested information item from the other worker. For example, the answer reception unit 430 uses the identification information selected by the other worker in the displayed list of identification information as the identification information of the requested process information including the requested information item. You may accept from. Instead, the answer receiving unit 430 may receive new identification information that is not recorded in the information recording unit 450 as the identification information of the process information including the requested information item. In this case, the answer reception unit 430 further receives the identification information in association with the identification information of the business process that generates the process information. Further, the answer reception unit 430 may receive the identification information in further association with the man-hours required to generate the process information, or further associate the identification information with the duties of the worker of the business process that generates the process information. It may be accepted.

  The flow generation unit 440 determines that the response to the identification information of the process information is dependent on the business process for generating the process information via the process information for which the first business process is requested. Generate dependency information to show. For example, when the requested information item has already been recorded in the information recording unit 450, the flow generation unit 440 identifies the business process identified by the identification information of the process information recorded corresponding to the information item. In addition, dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the requested process information may be generated. The flow generation unit 440 may generate dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process identified by the newly received identification information. The flow generation unit 440 repeats generation of dependency information every time identification information of process information is acquired.

  Each of the information recording unit 450, the dependency recording unit 460, and the user recording unit 470 is an example of a recording unit according to the present invention. The information recording unit 450 is associated with each of a plurality of business processes, identification information of process information generated in the business process, and at least one information item (for example, part design information or And the like) are recorded in association with each other. For example, the information recording unit 450 records the size of each part of the door and the accuracy information thereof as information items included in association with the file name of the process information generated as a result of the door design process work. Yes. A new information item may be acquired and recorded on condition that the requested information is not recorded in the information recording unit 450 as an information item included in the process information. Note that the condition whether or not the requested information has already been recorded may be determined by searching the information recording unit 450 using a keyword included in the requested information and searching for information including the keyword. Good.

  The dependency recording unit 460 records process flow information indicating a dependency relationship in which a plurality of business processes constituting a business depend on each other by the processing of the flow generation unit 440. The user recording unit 470 records the worker identification information, the worker name, and the duties of the worker in association with each other. The notification unit 480 receives notification from one of the worker terminals 30-1 to 30-N that process information of a certain business process has been completed. Then, the notification unit 480 detects other business processes depending on the business process in the process flow information generated by the flow generation unit 440 and recorded in the dependency recording unit 460. Then, the notification unit 480 notifies the detected person in charge of the business process that the conditions for starting the business process are satisfied. The person in charge of the business process can be identified by referring to the user recording unit 470.

  The process management unit 490 is based on the maturity level and the scheduled provision date recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the requested information item, and the maturity level and the desired provision date requested by the request reception unit 410. The business process already recorded is divided or a new business process is generated and recorded in the information recording unit 450. This processing is preferably performed after receiving an instruction from the worker from the worker terminals 30-1 to 30-N. The process display unit 495 displays dependency relations and attributes of each business process on the screen of the administrator terminal 20 based on various information recorded in the information recording unit 450, the dependency recording unit 460, and the user recording unit 470. To do.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the information recording unit 450. The information recording unit 450 records identification information (ID) of each of a plurality of business processes. Specifically, the information recording unit 450 records identification information (ID) of each business process for each business process. This ID may be a number such as 1225, for example. The information recording unit 450 records each process information in association with identification information (ID) that can be distinguished from other process information. The information recording unit 450 records each process information in association with a single or a plurality of information items included in the process information.

  For example, the information recording unit 450 records the path name of the file storing the process information (here, only the file name is illustrated) as the identification information (ID) of the process information. Further, the information recording unit 450 records information items included in the process information. For example, in the business process whose business process ID is 1225, “door hinge” and “door panel” are designed as design information. The maturity of this “door hinge” is 2, and the maturity of “door panel” is also 2. Further, the information recording unit 450 may record the man-hours required for the business process in association with each of the plurality of business processes. Further, the information recording unit 450 may record a provision date for providing process information from the business process to another business process in association with each of the plurality of business processes.

  An example of processing in which the flow generation unit 440 generates process flow information will be described with reference to FIG. The worker in charge of the business process with ID 1226 instructs the business management system 40 to display a list of information. The information display unit 400 displays a list of process information recorded in the information recording unit 450. This operator is requesting design information of the pillar portion of the door, but this design information is not yet recorded in the information recording unit 450. For this reason, the request receiving unit 410 newly receives a request for providing design information of the door column part from the worker in charge of the business process with ID 1226. The request display unit 420 displays this request to other workers. Further, the request display unit 420 displays a list of identification information of process information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 to the other worker.

  As a result of comparing the list of identification information of the process information with the request for the design information, the other worker has determined that the design information of the door pillar portion is DT25-31. It is determined to be included in the DAT file. Then, the other worker makes DT25-31.DT as identification information of the process information including the requested design information. DAT is input to the business management system 40. In other words, the answer receiving unit 430 uses the DT25-31.DT as the process information identification information including the requested design information. DAT is received from the other worker.

  The flow generation unit 440 receives dependency information indicating that the business process with ID 1226 depends on the business process for generating this process information (that is, the business process with ID 1225) in response to receiving the response of the identification information. Generate. In addition, the information recording unit 450 newly records an item indicating design information of the pillar portion of the door in association with the business process whose ID is 1225. When the answer reception unit 430 further receives the maturity level, the information recording unit 450 may further record the maturity level in association with the design information item.

  As described above, the information recording unit 450 records in advance identification information for identifying process information of each business process in association with information items included in the process information. Further, the information recording unit 450 can additionally record information items included in each business process by acquisition from the answer receiving unit 430. As a result, the process information can be accumulated and recorded sequentially according to the acquisition of the worker, and for the worker who requests the information item after that, more process information is displayed in a list for convenience. Can increase the sex.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the dependency recording unit 460. The dependency recording unit 460 records process flow information indicating a dependency relationship in which a plurality of business processes constituting a business depend on each other. Specifically, the dependency recording unit 460 is associated with identification information (ID) of each business process (downstream process), and identification information of an upstream process that is another business process that provides process information to the business process. Is recorded. For example, since the business process with ID 1225 provides process information to the business process with ID 1226, the dependency recording unit 460 is associated with the business process ID 1226 and is upstream of the business process. ID 1225 is recorded.

  Further, the dependency recording unit 460 may record the requested information item in association with the business process when the request reception unit 410 receives the request for the information item for the business process. . For example, this figure shows that door hinge design information is requested for the upstream process with ID 1225. This figure is an example, and the dependency recording unit 460 may record the process flow information using another data structure. For example, the dependency recording unit 460 may record an ID of a downstream process that is a business process of a providing destination that provides process information from the business process in association with the ID of each business process. Further, the dependency recording unit 460 may record each ID of the downstream process and the upstream process of the business process in association with the ID of each business process.

  FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data structure of the user recording unit 470. The user recording unit 470 is associated with the identification information (ID) of each worker, the name of the worker, the duties of the worker, and the identification information (ID) of the business process that the worker is in charge of. Is recorded. Such information may be recorded in advance or may be updated by an operator's input. For example, in response to the response receiving unit 430 receiving the duties of the worker who is responsible for generating the process information in association with the ID of the process information, the user recording unit 470 associates with the ID of the worker. And record their duties.

  Here, the name of the worker is, for example, a login ID for logging in the business management system 40 by the worker. That is, when receiving a request for an information item, the request receiving unit 410 can identify which worker has received the request by detecting the login ID of the worker who has input the request. Further, when displaying the process flow information, the process display unit 495 can display the name of the worker who is in charge of each business process and the job name in association with the business process.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of process flow information displayed by the process display unit 495. The process display unit 495 displays each business process in association with the name of the worker and the man-hours required for it. For example, the worker of the business process 1225 is SATO, and the worker of the business process 1226 is TANAKA. Further, the man-hour of the business process 1225 is 13, and the man-hour of the business process 1226 is 9.5. Further, the process display unit 495 displays each business process in association with the process information of the business process. For example, the process information of the business process 1225 is DT25-31. The process information of the business process 1226 is DT25-32. DAT.

  Further, the process display unit 495 displays design information included in each process information in association with each other. For example, the process information “DT25-31.DAT” includes design information of door panels, door swirls, and door pillars. The process information “DT25-32.DAT” includes design information indicating the driver's viewpoint and seat position.

  Further, in the example of this figure, the process display unit 495 displays dependency information indicating the dependence of the business process 1226 on the business process 1225. For example, the process information (DT25-31.DAT) of the business process 1225 includes door panel design information, door hinges, and door pillar design information, and the business process 1226 is started. The design information of the pillar part of the door is necessary. For this reason, the process display unit 495 displays the directed edge from the “door pillar portion” which is the design information toward the symbol indicating the work process 1226.

  In this way, the process flow information generated by the flow generation unit 440 is displayed as an intuitive symbol by the process display unit 495, and can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for business managers and workers. As a result, the manager and the worker can appropriately understand the dependency relationship between the business processes, and can use it for grasping the entire business and improving the efficiency of the business.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of processing in which the business management system 40 creates process flow information. The information display unit 400 displays a list of information items already registered (S900). Specifically, the information display unit 400 associates each piece of process information identification information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 with a list of information included in the process information identified by the identification information. The information is displayed on the worker terminal of the worker, for example, the screen of the worker terminal 30-2.

  The request reception unit 410 receives a request for an information item necessary for starting the one business process from an operator of the one business process (S910). For example, the request reception unit 410 selects an information item selected by an operator of the one business process among the information items displayed by the information display unit 400 as an information item necessary for starting the one business process. You may accept as a request. Further, the request receiving unit 410 may receive the desired provision date when the information item is required and the maturity of the information item in association with the information item necessary for starting the one business process. .

  The request display unit 420 determines whether or not the requested information item is already recorded in the information recording unit 450 (S920). For example, the request display unit 420 searches the information recording unit 450 with the keyword included in the requested information item, and the information item is already recorded on condition that the information item including the keyword is searched. You may judge that Instead, the request display unit 420 has a dictionary in which each word / phrase is recorded in association with the synonym in advance, and the synonym of the keyword included in the requested information item is already recorded based on the dictionary. It may be determined whether or not.

  On condition that the requested information item has already been recorded (S920: YES), the process management unit 490, based on the desired provision date when the information item is required and the maturity of the information item, A process of dividing the business process or a process of adding a new business process is performed (S930). This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. On the other hand, on condition that the requested information item has not been recorded in the information recording unit 450 (S920: NO), the request display unit 420 displays the accepted request to other workers (S935). ). Further, the request display unit 420 may selectably display a list of process information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the received request (S940).

  The answer receiving unit 430 sends the response of the identification information of the process information including the requested information item among the process information generated in each business process handled by the other worker to the other worker. (S950). For example, the answer reception unit 430 uses the identification information selected by the other worker in the displayed list of identification information as the identification information of the requested process information including the requested information item. You may accept from. Further, on the condition that the requested information item is not recorded in the information recording unit 450, the information recording unit 450 newly records the information item in association with the identification information of the accepted process information. May be.

  The flow generation unit 440 generates dependency information indicating dependency between business processes in response to completion of a process for dividing a work process or in response to reception of an answer to identification information of process information. The flow generation unit 440 repeatedly generates dependency information every time identification information of process information is acquired. Thereby, the process flow information which shows the dependence between several business processes is generable.

  FIG. 10 shows details of the processing in S930 of FIG. The process management unit 490 determines whether or not the scheduled provision date recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the requested information item satisfies the desired provision date received by the request reception unit 410 ( S1000). If the provision date is earlier than the desired provision date, the process management unit 490 may determine that the process management unit 490 satisfies the desired provision date. On condition that the desired provision date is satisfied (S1000: YES), the process management unit 490 records the maturity level (hereinafter referred to as the default maturity level) recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the requested information item. It is determined whether or not the maturity level received by the request receiving unit 410 (hereinafter referred to as “request maturity level”) is satisfied (S1040). For example, on condition that the predetermined maturity level is higher than the required maturity level, the process management unit 490 determines that the required maturity level is satisfied.

  On condition that the required maturity is not satisfied (S1040: NO), the process management unit 490 sets another business process that satisfies the required maturity and records it in the information recording unit 450 (S1050). Preferably, the process management unit 490 displays an inquiry message as to whether or not a business process satisfying the required maturity level may be set on the administrator terminal 20 or the like, and an instruction to the effect that the setting is allowed is set by the administrator. The business process may be set on the condition that the data is input from the above.

  On the other hand, on condition that the desired provision date is not satisfied (S1000: NO), the process management unit 490 determines whether the default maturity satisfies the required maturity (S1010). If not satisfied (S1010: NO), the process management unit 490 displays on the screen of the worker terminal 30-1 or the like that the request should be re-input by changing the delivery date or maturity level, and requests Is reacquired (S1020). On the other hand, on condition that the required maturity level is satisfied (S1010: YES), the process management unit 490 divides the business process corresponding to the requested information item into a plurality of business processes and records them in the information recording unit 450. (S1030). One of the divided business processes is a process of generating the requested information item according to the required maturity level. The other divided business process is a process of raising the requested information item to the original maturity level.

Preferably, the process management unit 490 displays an inquiry message as to whether or not the work process may be divided on the worker terminal 30-1 or the like, and an instruction to the effect that the work process may be divided is input from the worker or the like. The business process may be divided on the condition. According to this division, the information items requested in the downstream process can be provided to the downstream process earlier than before, and the entire business can be made more efficient.
As described above, according to the processing shown in the figure, when the newly requested request date or maturity level is not satisfied in the already recorded business process, the business process is divided or a new business process is performed. By setting, it is possible to appropriately mediate between the requester and the responder.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 500 that functions as the business management system 40. The information processing apparatus 500 includes a CPU peripheral unit including a CPU 1000, a RAM 1020, and a graphic controller 1075 connected to each other by a host controller 1082, a communication interface 1030, a hard disk drive 1040, and the like connected to the host controller 1082 by an input / output controller 1084. And an input / output unit having a CD-ROM drive 1060, and a legacy input / output unit having a BIOS 1010, a flexible disk drive 1050, and an input / output chip 1070 connected to the input / output controller 1084.

  The host controller 1082 connects the RAM 1020 to the CPU 1000 and the graphic controller 1075 that access the RAM 1020 at a high transfer rate. The CPU 1000 operates based on programs stored in the BIOS 1010 and the RAM 1020 and controls each unit. The graphic controller 1075 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1000 or the like on a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1020 and displays it on the display device 1080. Alternatively, the graphic controller 1075 may include a frame buffer that stores image data generated by the CPU 1000 or the like.

  The input / output controller 1084 connects the host controller 1082 to the communication interface 1030, the hard disk drive 1040, and the CD-ROM drive 1060, which are relatively high-speed input / output devices. The communication interface 1030 communicates with an external device via a network. The hard disk drive 1040 stores programs and data used by the information processing apparatus 500. The CD-ROM drive 1060 reads a program or data from the CD-ROM 1095 and provides it to the RAM 1020 or the hard disk drive 1040.

  The input / output controller 1084 is connected to the BIOS 1010 and relatively low-speed input / output devices such as the flexible disk drive 1050 and the input / output chip 1070. The BIOS 1010 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1000 when the information processing apparatus 500 is activated, a program depending on the hardware of the information processing apparatus 500, and the like. The flexible disk drive 1050 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 1090 and provides it to the RAM 1020 or the hard disk drive 1040 via the input / output chip 1070. The input / output chip 1070 connects various input / output devices via a flexible disk 1090 and, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

A program provided to the information processing apparatus 500 is stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 1090, the CD-ROM 1095, or an IC card and provided by a user. The program is read from the recording medium via the input / output chip 1070 and / or the input / output controller 1084, installed in the information processing apparatus 500, and executed. The operation that the program causes the information processing apparatus 500 to perform is the same as the operation in the business management system 40 described with reference to FIGS.

  The program shown above may be stored in an external storage medium. As the storage medium, in addition to the flexible disk 1090 and the CD-ROM 1095, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. Further, a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium, and the program may be provided to the information processing apparatus 500 via the network.

  As described above, according to the business management system 40 according to the present embodiment, even if the administrator cannot grasp the dependency relationship of the entire business, the dependency between the business processes based on the request for information and the response to the request. Information can be generated appropriately. Also, when an upstream process worker requests information from a downstream process worker, he / she does not reply to a presumed business process, but provides a new information for efficiently providing the information. You can also set a business process and answer it. In this case, the worker in the upstream process can recommend the work so that the work in the downstream process can be advanced efficiently. In this way, if the process flow information is generated in an interactive format of requesting information and replying to the request, opportunities for improving the efficiency of the entire business can be increased. Further, when the maturity level or delivery date of the requested information is not satisfied, it is possible to automatically divide the existing business process and reduce the burden on the worker and the administrator.

  Thereby, the following services are realized. First, the person in charge of service investigation investigates the dependency between business processes. The person in charge investigates what information items each process information includes. Next, the person in charge stores the dependency information found by the investigation in the dependency recording unit 460 of the business management system 40 in advance. Further, the person in charge stores the information item found by the investigation in advance in the information recording unit 450 of the business management system 40 in association with the process information including the information item. Next, each worker generates process flow information using the business management system 40 in which the functions of the present embodiment are implemented. Thereafter, the person in charge of service correction modifies at least a part of the implemented functions in accordance with the model change of the automobile. This enables efficient creation of new process flow information with reference to the process flow information of the previous model, effectively supporting operational efficiency, even when vehicles are being remodeled one after another. can do.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing whether each business process depends on process information generated in another business process. FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the relationship between each business process in the automobile development business. FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the information processing system 10. FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the business management system 40. FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the information recording unit 450. FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the dependency recording unit 460. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data structure of the user recording unit 470. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a dependency relationship between business processes. FIG. 9 shows an example of processing in which the business management system 40 creates process flow information. FIG. 10 shows details of the processing in S930 of FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 500 that functions as the business management system 40.

Explanation of symbols

10 Information processing system 20 Administrator terminal 30 Worker terminal 40 Business management system 400 Information display unit 410 Request reception unit 420 Request display unit 430 Answer reception unit 440 Flow generation unit 450 Information recording unit 460 Dependency recording unit 470 User recording unit 480 Notification Unit 490 process management unit 495 process display unit 500 information processing apparatus

Claims (22)

Work to be progressed by each worker in multiple work processes generating process information for the work process based on process information generated in another work process and providing it to other work processes A system for managing
Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information,
A request reception unit that receives a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;
A request display unit for displaying the received request to other workers;
Of each of the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker, an answer receiving unit that receives an answer of identification information of the requested process information from the other worker;
A system comprising: a generation unit that generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process that generates the process information in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information. The process information includes a single or a plurality of information items,
The request receiving unit receives a request for an information item necessary for starting the one business process from an operator of the one business process,
The request display unit displays the requested information item to other workers,
The answer reception unit includes identification information of process information including the requested information item from the other worker among the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker. The system according to claim 1, which accepts the answer.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates process flow information indicating a dependency relationship between the plurality of business processes. The process information includes a plurality of information items,
The system according to claim 2, wherein an information item necessary for starting the one business process is a part of the plurality of information items.   The generation unit indicates that the one business process depends on the requested information item in response to the business process for generating the process information in response to receiving the response of the identification information of the process information. The system of claim 2, wherein the dependency information is generated. A record in which each process information is recorded in association with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information, and each process information is recorded in association with one or a plurality of information items included in the process information. Further comprising
The request display unit displays the list of identification information of the process information that is already recorded in the recording unit in association with the requested information item and is selectable for the other worker.
The answer accepting unit accepts the identification information selected by the other worker from the displayed list of identification information as identification information of process information including the requested information item,
The generation unit generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process corresponding to the identification information in the recording unit in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information. The system according to claim 2. In response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information, the generation unit depends on the one business process via the requested information item to the business process corresponding to the identification information in the recording unit. Generate dependency information to indicate
The system according to claim 6. The answer reception unit receives the identification information of the process information selected by the other worker from the displayed list of identification information as identification information of the process information including the requested information item,
The recording unit newly records an information item in association with the identification information of the accepted process information on condition that the requested information item is not recorded as the information item included in the process information. ,
The generation unit is dependent information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process corresponding to the received identification information in the recording unit in response to receiving a response of the identification information of the process information. Generate
The system according to claim 6. Select a list of information included in the process information identified by the identification information in association with each of the identification information of the process information already recorded in the recording unit for the worker of the one business process It further includes an information display unit that displays it,
The request receiving unit receives an information item selected by an operator of the one business process among the information displayed by the information display unit as a request for information necessary to start the one business process. ,
The said production | generation part produces | generates the dependence information which shows that the said 1 business process depends on the business process identified by the identification information currently recorded corresponding to the said information item requested | required. system. The response receiving unit associates new identification information not recorded in the recording unit with identification information of a business process that generates the process information, as identification information of the process information including the requested information item. Accept,
The generation unit generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process identified by the identification information of the accepted business process,
The system according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit records the identification information of the accepted process information and the identification information of the accepted business process in association with the requested information item. The answer reception unit receives the identification information to be newly recorded in association with the man-hour required for generating the process information identified by the identification information,
The system according to claim 10, wherein the recording unit records the man-hours received in association with the identification information in association with the received identification information. The answer reception unit receives the identification information to be newly recorded in association with the duties of the operator of the business process that generates the process information identified by the identification information,
The system according to claim 10, wherein the recording unit records a job received in association with the identification information in association with the received identification information. The recording unit is associated with each of the plurality of business processes, further, the maturity of each information item included in the process information generated in the business process, and from the business process to another business process. The request receiving unit records the scheduled provision date on which the process information is provided, and the request reception unit further includes the maturity level of the information item and the desired provision date required for starting the one business process as the request. Accept,
The maturity level recorded in association with the requested information item satisfies the accepted maturity level, and the scheduled provision date recorded in association with the requested information item is: The process management part which divides | segments the business process corresponding to the said requested | required information item into a some business process, and records on the said recording part on the condition that the received said desired provision date is not satisfy | filled further. The system described in. The recording unit is associated with each of the plurality of business processes, further, the maturity of each information item included in the process information generated in the business process, and from the business process to another business process. The request receiving unit records the scheduled provision date on which the process information is provided, and the request reception unit further includes the maturity level of the information item and the desired provision date required for starting the one business process as the request. Accept,
The maturity level recorded in association with the requested information item is satisfied when the scheduled provision date recorded in association with the requested information item satisfies the received desired provision date. The system according to claim 6, further comprising: a process management unit configured to set another business process that satisfies the accepted maturity level and record it in the recording unit on condition that the accepted maturity level is not satisfied. . In the process flow information generated by the generation unit, on the condition that the process information of one business process is completed, the other business process depends on the other business process depending on the one business process. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that a condition for starting a process is satisfied. The business process is a process of designing automobile parts,
The process information is design information of the part.
The system of claim 1. Work to be progressed by each worker in multiple work processes generating process information for the work process based on process information generated in another work process and providing it to other work processes A management method for managing
Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information,
Receiving a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;
Displaying the accepted request to other workers;
Out of each of the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker, receiving a response of identification information of the requested process information from the other worker; and And a step of generating dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process for generating the process information in response to reception of an answer to the identification information. Work to be progressed by each worker in multiple work processes generating process information for the work process based on process information generated in another work process and providing it to other work processes Is a system to manage
Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information.
A function of receiving a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;
A function of displaying the requested process information to other workers;
Among the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker, a function of receiving an answer of identification information of the requested process information from the other worker; And a function of generating dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process for generating the process information in response to receiving the response of the identification information. Prior to the implementing step,
Investigating dependencies between business processes;
The method according to claim 18, further comprising: storing the dependency information found by the investigation in the system in advance. The process information includes a single or a plurality of information items,
Prior to the implementing step,
A step of investigating what information items each process information includes;
The method according to claim 18, further comprising: storing the information item found by the investigation in advance in the system in association with the process information including the information item. The business process is a process of designing automobile parts,
The process information is design information of the part,
After the implementing step,
The method of claim 18, comprising modifying at least some of the implemented functions in response to a model change of the vehicle. Work to be progressed by each worker in multiple work processes generating process information for the work process based on process information generated in another work process and providing it to other work processes As a system for managing the information processing apparatus, each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information,
The information processing apparatus;
A request reception unit that receives a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;
A request display unit for displaying the received request to other workers;
Of each of the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker, an answer receiving unit that receives an answer of identification information of the requested process information from the other worker;
A program that functions as a generation unit that generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process that generates the process information in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information.

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