JP2001167216A - Workflow system, workflow managing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a person, to which the execution of specified processing of a document is demanded, to schedule following work or to perform previous work of the relevant document. SOLUTION: A document creator watches the examination states of respective examiner displayed on a display means, selects at least one examiner to examine a prepared document and inputs the scheduled date of an examination demand to each of examiners from an input means. The scheduled date of the examination demand is set for each of examiners. An examination condition acquiring means receives the document ID of the document to become an object from a document managing means, acquires the user ID of examiners and the scheduled date of the examination demand to each of examiners from the input means and records them in an examination managing data base (step S7). While suitably referring to the examination managing data base, an examination condition managing means manages the examination conditions of this document.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a workflow technique for digitized documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A workflow system is a system that automates the control of the flow of work (work) according to a predetermined procedure (flow) and supports workers who perform work. In a workflow system, the target of work is an electronic document, and each worker processes the document and circulates it to the next worker according to a defined routing route, thereby executing a flow. .

In a workflow system, the following contents are managed as defined in advance. -Document contents-Document circulation route-Processing for each worker's document (contents, amount of work) Also, when a document is actually created and put on a workflow, the document is circulated to which worker at present. Information is provided in accordance with the management information. When the worker finishes processing the document, the system transfers the document to the next worker according to the circulation route.

In such a workflow system, as a known technique for notifying the existence of a document to be subjected to a workflow, there is a technique disclosed in JP-A-9-91234. Here, the system notifies the worker of the existence of the document before the document is transferred to the worker, and gives the notified worker the right of reference to the document. You can know the occurrence of work.

In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-11507, there is disclosed a system for easily grasping the progress of work of an operator, which is difficult with a conventional workflow system. That is, the work period and work amount of each worker and the schedule of the worker are managed and displayed on a time axis, so that the manager can easily grasp the work amount and the work period for each worker.

[0006] The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-40219 discloses that a worker always knows the number of his / her own work by automatically notifying each worker of the number of requested work.
Business stagnation can be reduced.

[0007]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-9123
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4 (1995) No. 4 has a problem in that even when a worker is notified of the occurrence of a task, the worker does not know when the task will arrive at his / her own location. In addition, for a document whose existence has been notified, the worker can check the progress by referring to the contents,
When one worker has to process a large amount of documents, it is not realistic because each worker must check the contents of each document.

Further, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-11507, only the state of the current business is managed, so that it is possible to grasp at what point in time a scheduled business will occur. There is a problem that work cannot be allocated without bias.

In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-40219,
The worker is notified only of the number of work that has arrived at the worker at the moment.
There is a problem that it is not possible to manage the number of jobs scheduled to arrive.

As described above, in the conventional workflow system, it is possible to grasp the document that has arrived at the worker and to inform the worker of the existence of the document to arrive. However, it is not possible to control when a currently occurring document arrives at each worker. For this reason, the manager cannot allocate the tasks to the workers evenly, which causes a problem that the document is stagnated. In addition, there is a problem that each worker cannot make his / her future schedule and cannot perform efficient work.

An object of the present invention is to enable a person who is requested to execute a specific process on a document to make a future work plan and also to perform a preliminary work on the document. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to know the progress of a workflow and perform processing efficiently.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of documents that are not processed and to allow a user to make a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks.

Another object of the present invention is to be able to know the urgency of processing a document requested to the user and to perform the processing with a priority corresponding to the urgency.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to allocate work efficiently according to the progress by knowing the progress of the workflow for each person in charge.

Another object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily know the progress of a workflow relating to a specific document.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document management storage unit for storing information of a digitized document, and a document management for storing and reading the information in and from the document management storage unit. Means, a workflow storage means for storing information defining a workflow relating to the document, and a workflow management means for managing the workflow for the document based on the information stored in the workflow storage means. In the system, a progress storage means for storing information on the progress of the workflow for each document; a progress management means for appropriately accessing the progress storage to manage the progress; An input unit for receiving an input, and a notification unit for performing various notifications to a user. And when a user requests execution of a specific process on the document by designating an executor of the process and a scheduled date for requesting the execution of the process, the notification unit executes the execution. Informs the existence of the document requested to execute the process and the scheduled date, and that the progress management means manages the execution of the process by accepting the request to execute the process. This is a featured workflow system.

Therefore, the requestee can know in advance the existence of a document for which the execution of a specific process is requested and the scheduled date for requesting the execution of the request. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to perform pre-work on the document.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the workflow system according to the first aspect, further comprising a display unit for displaying various information to the user, wherein the progress management unit requests the user by inputting the information by the input unit. When there is, the progress is displayed on the display by referring to the progress storage.

Therefore, the user can know the progress of the workflow, so that the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the first or second aspect, the progress management means sets an upper limit of the number of the documents to be processed by each person in charge of the processing. It is characterized in that it manages and limits the acceptance of the claim based on the upper limit.

Therefore, documents that are not processed can be reduced, and the user can make a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The progress management means receives a request for execution of the processing performed by designating a deadline for execution, and gives the designated executor the urgency of the examination to the designated executor based on the received deadline for each of the documents. It is characterized by being notified by the notifying means.

Therefore, the requestee can know the urgency of the processing of the document requested to him / herself, and can perform the processing with the priority according to the urgency.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the second aspect, the progress management means displays the progress by the display means for each person in charge of the processing. It is characterized by.

Therefore, the user can know the progress status of the workflow for each person in charge, and can efficiently allocate work according to the progress status.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the second aspect, the progress management means displays the progress for each document by the display means. I do.

Therefore, the user can easily know the progress status of the workflow for a specific document.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workflow management method for managing the workflow for a document based on information defining a workflow for an electronic document, wherein the information on the progress of the workflow for each document is provided. A progress status management step of appropriately accessing the progress status storage means for managing the progress status. The progress status management step includes a specific status for the document by an input means for receiving input of various information. A receiving step of receiving a request to be made by a user by designating a executor of the processing and a scheduled date for requesting the execution of the processing, and a notifying means for notifying the user of various kinds when the request is received The existence and the scheduled date of the document for which the executor has been requested to execute the processing by A first notification step of notifying the user and a processing management step of receiving a request for execution of the processing when the reception is received and managing the execution of the processing. This is a workflow management method.

Therefore, the requestee can know in advance the existence of a document for which a specific process is requested to be executed and the scheduled date of requesting the execution thereof, so that a future work plan can be made. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to perform pre-work on the document.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the seventh aspect, the progress status management step includes the step of storing the progress status storage means when a user's request is made by an input from the input means. A display step of displaying the progress by referring to the display means for displaying various kinds of information to a user.

Therefore, the user can know the progress of the workflow, so that the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the progress management step sets an upper limit of the number of the documents to be processed by each person in charge of the processing. And a reception restriction step of restricting the reception of the request based on the upper limit.

Accordingly, the number of documents that are not processed can be reduced, and the user can make a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claims 7 to 9
In the workflow management method according to any one of the above, the progress management step receives a request for execution of the process performed by designating a deadline for execution, and the execution specified based on the received deadline. A second notification step of notifying a user of the urgency of the processing for each document by the notification means.

Therefore, the requestee can know the urgency of the processing of the document requested to him / herself, and can perform the processing with the priority according to the urgency.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the eighth aspect, the display step includes:
The progress is displayed by the display unit for each person in charge of the processing.

Therefore, the user can know the progress status of the workflow for each person in charge, and can efficiently allocate tasks according to the progress status.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the eighth aspect, the display step includes:
The progress is displayed by the display unit for each document.

Therefore, the user can easily know the progress of the workflow for a specific document.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is stored a computer-readable program for causing a computer to manage the workflow for the document based on information defining the workflow for the digitized document. In the storage medium, the program causes a computer to execute a progress status management step of managing the progress status by appropriately accessing a progress status storage unit that stores information on the progress status of the workflow for each document. The progress management step is performed by the user by executing a specific process on the document by designating a executor of the process and a scheduled date for requesting the process to be performed by an input unit that receives various information inputs. The receiving process for receiving the request, and when this is received, A first notification step of notifying the executor of the existence and the scheduled date of the document whose execution is requested to the executor by notifying means for notifying the user of various kinds; A process management step of receiving a request for execution of the process and managing the execution of the process;
Is a storage medium characterized by comprising:

Therefore, the requestee can know in advance the existence of the document for which the execution of the specific processing is requested and the scheduled date of requesting the execution thereof, so that the work request can be made in the future. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to perform pre-work on the document.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the thirteenth aspect, the progress status management step refers to the progress status storage means when a user's request is made by an input from the input means. And a display step of displaying the progress by a display means for displaying various kinds of information to a user.

Therefore, since the user can know the progress of the workflow, the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the progress management step sets an upper limit of the number of the documents to be processed for each person in charge of the processing. It is characterized by including a reception restriction step of managing and restricting the reception of the request based on the upper limit.

Therefore, documents that are not processed can be reduced, and the user can make a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claims 13 to
15. The storage medium according to any one of 15, wherein the progress management step receives a request for execution of the process performed by designating a deadline for execution, and the execution specified based on the received deadline. A second notification step of notifying a user of the urgency of the processing for each document by the notification means.

Therefore, the requestee can know the urgency of the processing of the document requested to him / herself, and can perform the processing with the priority according to the urgency.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the fourteenth aspect, the displaying step displays the progress status by the display means for each person in charge of the processing. And

Therefore, the user can know the progress status of the workflow for each person in charge, and can efficiently allocate work according to the progress status.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, the display step displays the progress status for each of the documents by the display means.

Therefore, the user can easily know the progress status of the workflow related to a specific document.

[0053]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a system configuration of a workflow system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the workflow system 1 includes a workflow database 2, an examination management database 3, a document management database 4, a workflow management unit 5, an examination status management unit 6, a document management unit 7, a notification unit 8, and an input unit 9. And display means 10.

The document management database 4 implements a document management storage unit, and stores information on the document such as the text of the document and bibliographic items such as the document ID, title, and creator for each document.

The document management means 7 stores the information of the document created by the document creator in the document management database 4, and retrieves and reads out the document information from the document management database 4 according to the request of the user.

The input means 9 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and enables a user to input desired information to the workflow system 1. Also,
The display means 10 includes a display device such as a CRT or an LCD, and displays various information on the display device.

The workflow database 2 implements a workflow storage unit, and stores information on workflows defined in advance as an examiner and an approver for a document creator.

The workflow management means 5 creates a document,
Manage the workflow of review and approval processing. That is, the information of the examiner and the approver for the creator of the document is searched with reference to the workflow database 2 and the result is provided to the examination status management means 6 and the like. Further, based on the information from the examination status management means 6, a notice for causing the creator or the examiner to execute the process is output to the notifying means 8.

The examination management database 3 realizes a progress state storage means, and stores an examination state table for accumulating information on the examination state of the examiner for each document.

The examination status management means 6 implements the progress status management means, and manages the progress status of the workflow, that is, the examination status related to the document creator and the examiner. The examination status management means 6 includes an examination status acquisition means 11, an examination status change means 12, an examination reservation change means 13,
It comprises examination registration means 14, examination state inquiry means 15, and processing state management means 16. The function of each of these means will be described later. The examination status management means 6 refers to the examination management database 3 based on the value or the like input by the user, searches for information related to the examination status, and transfers the information to the display means 10. In addition, the creator and the examiner receive the document creation and the document examination from the input unit 9 and update the examination management database 3. The display unit 10 receives the information on the examination status from the examination status management unit 6, classifies and totals them according to conditions, and outputs the information in a format that is easy for the user to understand. The progress status management process and the process management process are realized as functions of the examination status management means 6 (details will be described later).

The notification means 8 manages the mail address of the user and transfers the electronic mail.

In the workflow system 1 having the above system configuration, the workflow management means 5 controls the flow of document creation, examination, and approval. The document created by the creator is managed by the document management means 7 and stored in the document management database 4.
As will be described later, the examination status management means 6 manages the examination reservation by the creator and the examination status of the examiner, and the information on the examination status is accumulated in the examination management database 3.

(1-1) Processing of Examination Request Reservation at Start of Document Creation Examination reservation accompanying document creation by the creator will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The document creator inputs his / her user ID through the input means 9 and starts document creation. The workflow management unit 5 refers to the workflow database 2 based on the input user ID, searches a list of examiners corresponding to the creator, and passes the list to the examination status acquisition unit 11. In FIG.
4 shows an example of registration in the workflow database 2. In this example, a plurality of examiners and one approver are registered in association with each creator. In this example, for example, examiners A, B, and C are registered for the creator D.

The examination status acquisition means 11 examines each of the examiners in the received examiner list by using the examination management database 3
With reference to the examination status table, information indicating the examination status such as the examination request date and examination deadline of the unexamined document is searched (step S1).

Specifically, the examination status table of the examination management database 3 is as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, a plurality of examiners are set for one document. For example, the examiners of the document with the document ID 001 are A and B.

The examination status acquisition means 11 totalizes the retrieved information for each examiner. First, the document review status is determined and classified according to the following conditions. In other words:-If there is no examination request date, it is classified as “reservation for examination”.・ Those other than the above conditions, for which the examination deadline has not yet come, are classified as “Awaiting examination”.・ Those other than the above conditions that have passed the examination deadline at present are classified as “Expired”.

In the example of FIG. 4, considering examiner A,
When the current time is May 25, 1999, one document for “review examination” (document ID is 001), one document for “waiting for review” (document ID is 002), and one document for “examination expired” (Document ID is 003).

Next, the examination status acquisition means 11 totalizes the number of documents in each examination state for each examiner, and displays the totaled number in the display means 10.
Are displayed in an easy-to-read format such as a graph or a table (step S2). This realizes a display step.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of the display. FIG.
Shows the total number of examination statuses of each examiner.
FIG. 6 shows the examination status of one examiner B in FIG. 5 along the time axis. In the graph of FIG. 6 on the day of the display (in the example of FIG. 4, 1999/6/1), from the bottom, the “examination expired” document, the “examination awaiting” document on which the date is due, and the examination request scheduled to be made on this day Are displayed in order, and on the other days, a "waiting for examination" document and a "reservation for examination" document are displayed.

At the request of the user, the examination status acquisition means 11 refers to the examination acceptance number table stored in the examination management database 3 to acquire information on the maximum number of examination acceptances, and displays the information along with the examination status. In FIG. 6, the upper limit of the number of examination acceptances per day is displayed below the date display as (10), (5), and the like. In the examination acceptance number table illustrated in FIG. 7, an initial value of the maximum number of acceptances per day is recorded for each examiner. As the number of receptions during a specific period, the start date and end date of the period, and the maximum number of receptions per day during the period are recorded in the examination reception number table. When a plurality of periods and the number of acceptances are set for one examiner, a plurality of sets are recorded. In the examination reception number table shown in FIG. 7, a set without a start date and an end date represents an initial value, and the maximum number of examiners B that can be accepted is 10 per day. In addition, as for the setting of the specific period, the examiner B sets 0 cases a day from April 30 to May 15, 6
From April 4 to June 10, the number of receptions is 5 per day.

The document creator looks at the displayed examination status of each examiner, selects at least one examiner, and inputs the scheduled examination request date for each examiner through the input means 9.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen display for selecting the examiner and inputting the scheduled examination request date. In the example of FIG.
A and B are selected from the human examiners, and an appointment is made. The scheduled examination request date is set for each examiner. Thereby, the receiving process is realized.

The examination status acquisition means 11 refers to the examination acceptance number table of the examination management database 3 for the selected examiner, and searches the examination acceptance upper limit number during the period including the scheduled examination request date (step S3). . The maximum number of screening acceptances is compared with the number of “review reservation” documents on the day of the scheduled examination request date of the display means 10 (step S4). If the maximum number of screening acceptances is less than “the number of“ review reservation ”documents + 1”, Assuming that the number exceeds the upper limit of the number of examination documents (Y in step S4), the examination status acquisition means 11 displays a message to the effect that the number of examination documents exceeds the upper limit on the display means 10 (step S4).
5) Display the review status of each reviewer again and prompt the document creator for input. In the case of Y in step S4, the process of step S5 is performed and the process returns to step S2, thereby realizing the reception restriction process.

For all the examiners selected by the document creator,
If the inputted examination request appointment date does not exceed the examiner's upper limit of examination acceptance (Y in step S4), the document management means 7 refers to the document management database 4, acquires a document ID for a new document, and acquires the document ID. The registered document ID and the user ID of the document creator are registered in the document management database 4 (step S6).

The examination status acquisition means 11 is provided for the document management means 7.
A document ID is received from the user, and a user ID of the examiner and a scheduled examination request date for each examiner are obtained from the input unit 9 and recorded in the examination management database 3, whereby an examination reservation is made (step S7).

(1-2) Processing of Change of Examiner and Scheduled Examination Request Date Next, after making a reservation for examination, until the completion of document creation, the document creator optionally changes the examiner and schedules the examination request. Since the date can be changed, the process of changing the reservation for examination request will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the document creator inputs the document ID of the document whose examination reservation is to be changed from the input means 9 (Y in step S8), the workflow management means 5 searches the workflow database 2 and responds to the document creator. A list of examiners to be obtained is obtained and passed to the examination reservation changing means 13 (step S9).

The examination reservation changing means 13 searches the examination management database 3 from the list of examiners and the document ID inputted from the input means 9 and obtains the expected date of the examination request of each document to the examiner ( Step S10).

The examination reservation changing means 13 outputs and displays the list of examiners to the display means 10 together with the scheduled examination request date if the examination reservation is made (step S11).

The document creator changes the examiner and the scheduled examination request date through the input means 9 as necessary (Y in step S12). The display of the examination status and the determination of the examiner and the scheduled examination request date are the same as those at the start of document creation.

The examination reservation changing means 13 responds to the input by
The change from the input is recorded in the examination management database 3 (step S13).

(1-3) Processing upon Completion of Document Creation Processing upon completion of document creation will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The document creator creates and inputs a document using the input unit 9, and when this document creation is completed (step S14), the document management unit 7 registers the input document information in the document management database 4 (step S14).
15).

At the same time, the examination status change means 12 obtains the document ID from the document management means 7 and searches the examination management database 3 for the document ID. For the examiner of the document, the current date is the scheduled date of the request for examination, or for the examiner who has passed the scheduled date of the request for review, the current date is set as the date of the request for review, and the scheduled date of the request for review is currently For the examiner who does not have the examination request date, the examination request date is recorded in the examination management database 3 as the examination request date, and the examination status is changed (step S16).

The examination status changing means 12 searches the examiner and the examination request date by referring to the examination management database 3 from the document ID and transfers them to the workflow management means 5, and the workflow management means 5 A request for a document examination request to each examiner is made to the notifying means 8 (step S1).
7).

The notifying means 8 searches for the e-mail address of the examiner based on the information from the workflow managing means 5,
An e-mail is sent to the examiner to notify the examination request (step S18). Step S1
7, the first notification step is realized by S18.

(2) Processing at the time of document examination This is the processing of the examination by the examiner. When the examiner inputs his / her user ID and the document ID of the document to be examined through the input means 9, the document management means 7
And displays the document information of the corresponding document on the display unit 10. FIG. 11 shows an example of the display. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, bibliographic information such as the title and creator of the corresponding document and the text are displayed, and a button 21 for inputting the end of examination is displayed.

The examiner examines the document based on the displayed document information, and inputs the end of the examination by the input means 9.

The examination registration means 14 outputs the output document I
D: Search the examination management database 3 based on the entered examiner's user ID, and record the current date on the examination date.

The examination registration means 14 refers to the examination management database 3 based on the document ID, and searches for the examination state of another examiner in the document. If the examination state of all examiners has been examined, the user ID of the document creator is passed to the workflow management means 5 to notify the end of the examination.

The workflow management means 5 refers to the workflow database 2 based on the user ID of the document creator,
An approver is searched for the document creator, and a request for approval request is sent to the notification means 8.

The notification means 8 receives the information of the approver from the workflow management means 5, searches for the e-mail address of the approver, and sends an approval request notification to the approver by e-mail.

In the workflow system 1, information on each examiner or the examination status of each document can be obtained independently of the creation and examination of a document. The processing at that time is as follows.

(3) Processing at any time not involved in document creation and examination Processing for displaying the examination status of a certain examiner When the user inputs the user ID of the examiner who wants to know the situation from the input means 9, the examination status inquiry means 15 receives the user ID of the examiner, and the examination management database 3 Search for. Then, similarly to the start of the document creation, the search results are totaled for each examination state and displayed on the display unit 10.
This realizes a display step.

[0095] Processing for Displaying the Examination Status of Each Examiner for a Document When a user inputs a document ID or a creator's user ID from the input unit 9, the examination status inquiry unit 15 receives the input data and checks the examination management database 3. Refer to and search for the examiner, examination date, examination deadline and examination request date.

The examination status inquiry means 15 classifies the examination status of each examiner under the following conditions.・ If the examination date has been entered, “Examined” ・ If there is an examination request date other than the above conditions and the examination deadline has not expired or if the current time is the examination request date, “Waiting for examination” ・ The current time under the same conditions If the examination time limit has passed, "examination time has expired". If there is no examination request date, "unclaimed".
To be displayed. In the display example of FIG. 12, the examination status is displayed for each of the documents created by the creator F.

(4) Unique processing of the system In order to prevent the stagnation of the workflow for creating, examining, and approving documents, the workflow system 1 also performs the following unique processing irrespective of the user's processing.

[0098] Processing when the document creator does not request the examination even after the scheduled examination request date. The workflow management unit 5 requests the processing status management unit 16 to acquire the information of the examination request status at a preset interval. In response to this, the processing status management means 16
Searches the examination management database 3 and obtains the document ID of the document that does not include the examination request date and that is currently past the examination request scheduled date. And from the date of the request for examination,
If the predetermined number of days has elapsed, the processing status management means 16 passes information such as the document ID, the creator, the examiner, and the scheduled examination request date to the workflow management means 5. Then, the workflow management unit 5 issues a notification request to the document creator to the notification unit 8. In response to this, the notifying unit 8 searches for the address of the document creator based on the information from the workflow management unit 5, and notifies the document creator of the request for examination using electronic mail.

[0099] Process when Examiner Does Not Perform Examination Even After Examination Deadline Workflow management means 5 requests processing status management means 16 to acquire examination status information at preset intervals. In response, the processing status management means 16
The examination management database 3 is searched, and information of an examiner of a document that has not passed the examination date and has passed the examination deadline at present is acquired. If a predetermined number of days have passed since the examination deadline, the processing status management means 1
6 transfers the document ID, the creator, the examiner, and the information of the examination deadline to the workflow management means 5. Then, the workflow management means 5 sends a request for notification to the examiner to the notification means 8.
Put out In response to this, the notifying unit 8 acquires the address of the examiner based on the information from the workflow management unit 5, and notifies the examiner that the examination of the document is urged using an e-mail. . This implements a second notification step.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of the workflow system 1. As shown in FIG. 13, the workflow system 1 can be configured as a client-server system in which a server 31 and a plurality of clients 32, 32,. The workflow database 2, the examination management database 3, the document management database 4, the workflow management means 5, the examination status management means 6, the document management means 7, and the notification means 8 are realized as functions of the server 31. Further, the input unit 9 and the display unit 10 correspond to each client 32,
32,... Are realized.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of the server 31. As shown in FIG.
A bus 44 connects a CPU 41, a ROM 42, which is a read-only memory storing BIOS and the like, and a RAM 43, which is a memory for rewritably storing various data and is a work area of the CPU 41. Bus 44
Stores a communication control device 45 for communicating with the clients 32, 32,..., And various programs.
Also, an HDD 46 which is an external storage device in which the workflow database 2, the examination management database 3 and the document management database 4 are constructed, and a CD-ROM drive 4
7, a display 48 such as a CRT or an LCD, and an input device 49 such as a mouse and a keyboard are connected via an interface or a control circuit (not shown).

CD-ROM 50 as a storage medium of the present invention
Stores various programs used in the workflow system 1, and stores the CD-ROM 50 in the CD-RO.
By reading the data with the M drive 47 and installing the data in the HDD 46, the workflow system 1 is in a state where the above-described various processes can be performed. In addition,
Various programs installed from the CD-ROM 50 may operate on a predetermined OS. The storage medium of the present invention is not limited to a CD-ROM, and various types of storage media such as a CD-RAM, CD-R, DVD, MO, and FD can be used. In addition, the above various programs are downloaded from a network such as the Internet and a personal computer communication, and are downloaded to the HDD
The instool may be installed at 46. In this case, it is provided in the transmitting device that transmits various programs,
A storage device storing the various programs is also a storage medium of the present invention.

[0103]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the requestee can know in advance the existence of a document requested to execute a specific process and the scheduled date of requesting the execution. Thus, it is possible to make a work plan for the future, and to carry out preliminary work on the document.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the first aspect, since the user can know the progress of the workflow, the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the first or second aspect, documents staying unprocessed are reduced, and the user makes a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks. be able to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the requestee can know the urgency of processing the document requested to him / her, the requestee can perform the processing with a priority according to the urgency.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the second aspect, the user can know the progress status of the workflow for each person in charge, so that efficient work can be performed according to the progress status. Allocation can be done.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow system according to the second aspect, the user can easily know the progress of the workflow relating to a specific document.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the requestee can know in advance the existence of a document requested to execute a specific process and the scheduled date of requesting the execution. It is possible to make a work plan, and to perform a pre-work on the document.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the seventh aspect, since the user can know the progress of the workflow, the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, documents staying unprocessed are reduced, and the user can make a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks. Can stand.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claims 7 to 9
In the workflow management method according to any one of the above, the requestee can know the urgency of processing the document requested to him / herself. Can be.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method of the eighth aspect, the user can know the progress of the workflow for each person in charge.
Efficient assignment of work can be performed according to the progress.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the workflow management method according to the eighth aspect, a user can easily know the progress of a workflow relating to a specific document.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the requestee can know in advance the existence of a document requested to execute a specific process and the scheduled date of requesting the execution thereof. It is possible to make a work plan, and to perform a pre-work on the document.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the thirteenth aspect, the user can know the progress of the workflow, so that the processing can be performed efficiently.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, documents staying unprocessed are reduced, and the user makes a reasonable processing plan in relation to other tasks. be able to.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claims 13 to
In the storage medium according to any one of the fifteenth and fifteenth, the requestee can know the urgency of processing the document requested to him / herself. Can be.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, the user can know the progress of the workflow for each person in charge, so that efficient work can be performed according to the progress. Allocation can be done.

According to the invention described in claim 18, in the storage medium described in claim 14, the user can easily know the progress of the workflow regarding a specific document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a system configuration of a workflow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a review appointment made by a creator when a document is created in the workflow system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a workflow database of the workflow system.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an examination status table in an examination management database of the workflow system.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the total number of examination states of each examiner by the workflow system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example along a time axis of the examination status of a specific examiner by the workflow system.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screening acceptance number table of a screening management database of the workflow system.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting an examiner and inputting a scheduled examination request date in the workflow system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of changing an examination request reservation performed in the workflow system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the workflow system when document creation is completed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display in a document examination process performed by the workflow system.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display in a process of displaying the examination status of each examiner for a certain document performed by the workflow system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the workflow system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of servers constituting the workflow system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Workflow system 2 Workflow storage means 3 Progress storage means 4 Document management storage means 5 Workflow management means 6 Progress management means 7 Document management means 8 Notification means 9 Input means 10 Display means

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A document management storage unit for storing information of an electronic document, a document management unit for storing and reading the information in and from the document management storage unit, and storing information defining a workflow related to the document. A workflow system comprising: a workflow storage unit for executing the workflow for the document based on the information stored in the workflow storage unit; Progress status storage means for storing information; progress status management means for appropriately accessing the progress status storage means to manage the progress status; input means for receiving input of various information from a user; And a notifying unit for performing the input by the input unit. When the user requests the execution of a specific process on the document by designating the executor of the process and the scheduled date of requesting the execution of the process, the notifying unit requests the executor to execute the process. A workflow system for notifying the presence of the document and the scheduled date, and wherein the progress management means receives the request for execution of the process and manages the execution of the process. 2. A display means for displaying various information to a user, wherein the progress management means refers to a progress storage means when a user's request is made by an input from the input means. The workflow system according to claim 1, wherein is displayed by the display unit. 3. The progress management means manages an upper limit of the number of documents to be processed for each person in charge of the processing, and restricts acceptance of the request based on the upper limit. The workflow system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The progress management means receives a request for execution of the process specified by designating a deadline of execution, and notifies the specified executor to the designated executor based on the received deadline. The workflow system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification is performed by the notification unit for each document. 5. The workflow system according to claim 2, wherein the progress management means displays the progress by the display means for each person in charge of the processing. 6. The workflow system according to claim 2, wherein the progress management unit displays the progress by the display unit for each document. 7. A workflow management method for managing the workflow for a document based on information defining a workflow for an electronic document, wherein a progress status storage unit stores information on the progress status of the workflow for each document. A progress status management step of appropriately managing the progress status by accessing the document. The progress status management step includes executing a specific process on the document by inputting an input unit that receives various information. A receiving step of receiving a request made by a user by designating an executor and a scheduled date for requesting the execution of the process; A first notifying of the existence and the expected date of the document requested to be executed
And a process management step of receiving a request for execution of the process when the acceptance is received and managing the execution of the process. 8. The progress management step, wherein, when a user's request is made by an input from the input unit, the progress is displayed by display means for displaying various information to the user by referring to the progress storage means. The workflow management method according to claim 7, further comprising a display step of performing the display. 9. The progress management step includes managing an upper limit of the number of the documents to be processed for each person in charge of the processing, and restricting reception of the request based on the upper limit. 9. The workflow management method according to claim 7, wherein the workflow management method comprises: 10. The progress management step receives a request for execution of the process specified by designating a deadline for execution, and notifies the specified executor to the designated executor based on the received deadline. 10. The workflow management method according to claim 7, further comprising a second notification step of notifying each document by the notifying unit. 11. The workflow management method according to claim 8, wherein in the displaying step, the progress is displayed by the display unit for each person in charge of the processing. 12. The workflow management method according to claim 8, wherein the display step includes a third display step of displaying the progress status for each of the documents by the display unit. . 13. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to manage the workflow for the document based on information defining a workflow for an electronic document, the program comprising: Is to make a computer execute a progress management step of managing the progress by appropriately accessing a progress storage means for storing information on the progress of the workflow for each document. A receiving step of receiving a request by a user by executing a specific process on the document by designating a executor of the process and a scheduled date for requesting the execution of the process by performing an input of an input unit that receives various information; When this acceptance is received, various notifications are sent to the user. The information notifying the existence and the date of the document the execution of the processing to the invoker has been claimed by the Hare notifying means 1
And a processing management step of receiving a request for execution of the processing when the reception is received and managing the execution of the processing. 14. The progress management step, wherein, when a user's request is made by an input from the input unit, the progress status is referred to a progress storage unit by display means for displaying various information to the user. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 15. The progress management step includes managing an upper limit of the number of documents to be processed for each person in charge of the processing, and restricting reception of the request based on the upper limit. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the storage medium comprises: 16. The progress management step receives a request for execution of the process specified by designating a deadline of execution, and notifies the designated executor of the degree of urgency of the process based on the received deadline. The storage medium according to claim 13, further comprising a second notification step of notifying each document by the notifying unit. 17. The display step according to claim 14, wherein the progress status is displayed by the display means for each person in charge of the processing.
A storage medium according to claim 1. 18. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the displaying step displays the progress status for each document by the display unit.