JP2001209738A - Processing time display method and processing period setting method in workflow system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize further realistic and fine period setting by presenting a time necessary for the processing of an item in each node when a user sets a processing period based on the result data of the past processing owned by a workflow system, by solving the problem that there is no means to refer to a time necessary for the processing of an item in each node in an actual operation while a user can set a processing period in a conventional workflow system. SOLUTION: The processing time of an item in each node on an actual operation in a business process is calculated based on the past processing results outputted by a workflow system, and when a processing period is set, the necessary processing time of a node is presented to a user. Thus, it is possible to set the presented processing time in a batch as a processing period, and to individually change the processing period.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a processing time display method and a processing time limit setting method in a workflow system, and more particularly to a processing time display method and a processing time in a workflow system capable of calculating and displaying a processing time from past operation results. Regarding how to set a deadline.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a workflow system as a system for improving the efficiency of work by digitizing routine work. The workflow system is a system for performing a task while circulating a predetermined digitized document in a predetermined order. In the workflow system, the user does not need to be aware of the flow of the work or how much time is required for each work. In a conventional workflow system, it is possible to set a time limit for completing a matter when the matter is input, or to set a time limit for each step in a workflow. However, the set deadline has the meaning of the cautionary level to be referred to by the worker, and only controls the warning to the worker by changing the display color of the matter for which the deadline has passed.

[0003]

In the above prior art,
There is no way for the submitter to know how long it takes to process a case in actual operation. For this reason, it has not been possible to specify whether the requested deadline is in time as compared with the past workflow, and if not, which part should be shortened.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to present the time required for processing a case in each node when a user sets a processing deadline, based on past processing result data held by a workflow system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing time display method and a processing time limit setting method in a workflow system that can set more realistic and detailed time limits.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of displaying processing time in a workflow system for performing a business while transferring electronic documents in a predetermined order, wherein the processing time is displayed in units of workflow processing. A step of storing a past processing result for each node in the workflow system having a function of processing a matter input to a business process constituted by a certain node; and inputting the business process based on the past processing result. The present invention is characterized by comprising a step of calculating a processing time for each node required to process the completed matter, and a step of displaying the calculated processing time for each node.

A method for setting a processing time limit in a workflow system for performing a business while transferring an electronic document in a predetermined order, wherein the processing method is for processing a matter input to a business process constituted by nodes which are processing units of a workflow. Storing a past processing result for each node in the workflow system having a function of performing a process for each node necessary for processing a matter input to a business process based on the past processing result. Calculating the time, displaying the configuration and the processing order of the nodes of the business process, and completing the processing at the node calculated based on the past processing results near each displayed node. Then, the expected processing time and the processing at the node requested by the user are completed. And it can process deadlines, characterized by comprising a step of displaying, a step of setting change the processing time limit.

The method may further comprise the step of collectively setting the processing time for each node calculated based on the past processing results as a processing time limit for each node. When the setting of the processing time limit is changed for a certain node, a step of recalculating the processing time for nodes subsequent to the node and redisplaying the processing time may be further provided. When the matter arrives at the node and stays, a step of determining whether the current date and time has passed the processing time limit of the case at the node concerned, and if the processing time limit has passed, the priority of processing of the matter May be further provided. When the matter arrives at the node and stays there, a step of determining whether or not the current date and time is within the processing time limit of the node at the node, and if the time is within the processing time limit, the priority of the processing of the matter is determined. The step of lowering may be further provided.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system is configured by connecting a plurality of computers functioning as workflow clients 101 and 102 and a workflow server 103 to a network 104 composed of a LAN and a WAN.

[0010] Workflow clients 101 and 102
Is a computer that has a user interface 113 and performs processing of a matter in a workflow, display of processing time, setting of processing time limit, and the like. Workflow server 103
Is business process definition information 108, matter information 10
9 and the processing expiration date information 110, and the workflow control device 105 performs processing, transition, and control of the case. Further, the workflow log analysis device 107 analyzes the workflow log from the workflow log 111 and the holiday information 112 and passes the analysis result to the processing time calculation device 106. The processing time calculation device 106 calculates a processing time limit based on the passed information, and outputs the calculated result to the workflow client 101 via the network 104.
Send to

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system of FIG. 1 according to the present embodiment from a functional viewpoint. The workflow control device 201, the workflow log analysis device 202, the processing time calculation device 204, and the user interface 203 in FIG. 2 correspond to the workflow control device 105, the workflow log analysis device 107, the processing time calculation device 106, and the user, respectively, in FIG. Interface 113
Is equivalent to The business process definition information 205 of FIG.
Case information 206, workflow log 207, holiday information 2
08 and the processing time limit information 209 correspond to the business process definition information 108, the case information 109, the workflow log 111, the holiday information 112, and the processing time limit information 110 of FIG. 1, respectively.

Each of the devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
It can be realized by running predetermined software on a computer. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a form in which each of the devices 105 to 107 is realized by one computer as the workflow server 103, the present invention is not limited to this, and is realized by a distributed system in which each function is distributed to a plurality of computers. It is also possible.

An outline of each device shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The user interface 203 receives a case entry processing request from a user. At the time of matter submission, the actual value of the processing time at each node of the business process that submits the matter is displayed and notified to the user, and the user refers to it and refers to the processing time limit at each node of the matter ( By that point, a time limit for terminating the processing at that node can be set. The actual value of the processing time to be displayed is requested from the user interface 203 to the processing time calculation device 204. In response to a request from the user interface 203, the processing time calculation device 204 obtains the actual value of the processing time at each node of the designated business process, and returns it to the user interface 203. The calculation of the actual value of the processing time at each node is performed by the processing time calculation device 204 requesting the workflow log analysis device 202 to specify the node and executing the request. The workflow log analysis device 202 obtains the actual value of the required processing time at the specified node based on the workflow log indicating the past performance of the processing of the case and the holiday information, and returns it to the processing time calculation device 204.

The information 205 to 209 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The business process definition information 205 is shown in FIG.
And the business process information 400 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows details of the node information 300. The node information 300 is information on a node defined in each business process. The node information 300 includes a node identifier 301 which is a unique value for identifying a node in the business process, a node name 302 indicating the name of the set node, a type 303 indicating the type of the node, an input node column 304, and an output node column. 305,
And business identifier 306. The type 303 has a value of “processing” or “control”. "Process" indicates that the node is a node where the matter is processed, and "control" indicates that the node controls transition of the matter such as conditional branching and synchronization. The input node column 304 indicates a node identifier of a node input to each node. Output node sequence 3
05 indicates a node identifier of a node to be output from each node.

FIG. 4 shows details of the business process information 400. Business process information 400
Is information for managing a business process registered in the workflow system. The business process information 400 includes a business process identifier 401 which is a unique value in the workflow system, and a business process name 402 which is the name of the business process.

FIG. 5 shows details of the case information 206 of FIG. The case information 206 is information on each case being executed in each business process. Case information 20
Reference numeral 6 denotes a case identifier 501 which is a unique value for specifying a case in a business process, a business process identifier 502 indicating a business process to which the case belongs, and an identifier of a node at which the case arrives or stays. Node 503 indicating the status of the matter,
Arrival date and time 50 indicating the time when the matter arrived at the node
5, a priority 506 indicating the priority of the case, and an original priority 507 for retaining the original priority when the priority of the case is changed by the workflow control device 201.

The state 504 has one of two values: "unprocessed" and "processing". If the status is “unprocessed”, it indicates that the case has arrived at the node, but processing has not yet started. If the status is "processing", it indicates that the matter is currently being processed. The priority 506 and the original priority 507 have one of two values, “normal” and “urgent”. A priority of "normal" indicates that the priority for processing the matter is normal, and a priority of "urgent" indicates that the priority for processing the matter is higher than normal Is shown. The priority 506 stores the priority specified by the user who has submitted the matter. The user designates "immediate" if the matter is desired to be processed promptly, and designates "normal" otherwise.

When a matter is newly registered in a business process by a user, the workflow control device 201
A unique matter identifier is assigned within the business process and added to the matter information 206 of FIG. When the processing of the matter is started, the state 504 is changed from “unprocessed” to “in process”. After that, when the processing of the matter is completed and the matter transitions to the next node, the node 503 is changed. In the node identifier of the transitioned node, the state 504 is set to “unprocessed”,
The arrival date / time 505 is changed to the current time.

FIG. 6 shows details of the workflow log 207 of FIG. The workflow log 207 stores information when each node processes each case. Specifically, a business process identifier 601 unique in the workflow system, a node identifier 602 indicating a node in which the matter was processed, a case identifier 603 of the processed matter, an arrival date and time 604 indicating a time when the matter arrived at the node, And a completion date and time 505 indicating the time at which the processing of the matter in the node is completed.

When the processing of the case is completed in the node, the workflow control device 201 determines the business process identifier from the business process identifier 502 of the case information 206,
The node identifier is obtained from the node 503, and the time when the matter arrives at the node from the arrival date and time 505, respectively.
To the workflow log 207. Completion date 605
, Get and set the current time when the processing of the matter is completed.

FIG. 7 shows details of the holiday information 208 of FIG. The holiday information 208 includes a keyword 701 indicating an attribute and a date and time designation 702 indicating a target date and time and a day of the week.

The keyword 701 has four attributes of "start time", "end time", "holiday", and "business day". The keywords 701 include “start time” to specify the start time of the business, “end time” to specify the end time, “holiday” to specify the holiday, and “business” to specify the business day. Day ". In the date and time designation 702, the date and time to be the attribute of the keyword 701 are set. When the keyword 701 is “start time” or “end time”, the time is set in the corresponding date and time designation 702.
When the keyword 701 is “holiday” or “business day”, the date or day of the week is set in the corresponding date and time designation 702. "Sunday""Monday" to set the day of the week
... Specified by "Saturday". For dates, use "YYY
Y / MM / DD "format.

FIG. 8 shows details of the processing time limit information 209 of FIG. The processing time limit information 209 includes a case identifier 801 that uniquely specifies a case within the business process,
From a node identifier 802 that uniquely identifies a node in a business process, a business process identifier 803 that is unique in a workflow system that identifies a business process in which the matter is registered, and a processing deadline 804 indicating a processing deadline specified by a user. Become. When a matter is newly registered in the business process by the user, the workflow control device 201 registers the processing time limit information of each node of the case in the processing time limit information 209 of FIG.

Next, the flow of processing of each device in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.
FIG. 9 shows a flow of a process in which the workflow log analysis device 202 analyzes the workflow log 207 to obtain the required processing time of the node. FIG. 10 shows the processing time calculation device 2
Reference numeral 04 indicates a processing flow in which the processing time (actual value) is calculated and displayed, and the user sets a processing time limit. FIG. 11 shows a flow of processing for changing the priority of a case by the workflow control device 201. FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing until the workflow control device 201 receives the entry of a case and completes the case.

The flow of processing for obtaining the required processing time of a node by the workflow log analyzer 202 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing time calculation device 204 specifies the node identifier of the node for which the required processing time (actual value) is to be obtained, and issues a request for calculating the required processing time to the workflow log analysis device 202.
In response to the request, the workflow log analysis device 203 calculates the actual value of the required processing time of the designated node and returns it to the processing time calculation device 204. About that process,
This will be described below.

At step 901, the workflow log 2
At 07, the target period is acquired. The target period is a period referred to when obtaining the actual value of the required processing time. Although the workflow log 207 (FIG. 6) basically records all the results of the system operation period, it is not necessary to use all the results data to calculate the required processing time. In many cases, it is sufficient to calculate from actual results (for example, the past one year), so that the user can specify a target period. In step 902, the start time, end time, holiday, and the like of the business are acquired with reference to the holiday information 208 (FIG. 7).

In step 903, all the workflow log information of the target node is extracted. This is done by referring to the workflow log 207 (FIG. 6) and using the processing time calculation device 20.
This is the process of acquiring all the log information of the node identifier received from Step 4 and the workflow log information processed in the target period acquired in Step 901. Step 90
In step 4, the required processing time of the node is determined. this is,
This is a process of obtaining the required processing time for each of the workflow log information acquired in step 903. When obtaining the required processing time, the required time is determined in consideration of the holiday information acquired in step 902. Specifically, the time from the arrival date and time 604 to the completion date and time 605 is obtained, and if a time during which no work is performed, such as a holiday, is subtracted therefrom, the processing time is obtained by subtracting that time.

In step 905, the shortest processing time is obtained. This is a process of calculating the processing time required for processing the matter in the shortest time among all the processing times of the node obtained in step 904. Step 906
Then, the longest processing time is obtained. This is step 9
Of all the required processing times of the node determined in 04,
This is the process for finding the required processing time for processing the matter in the longest time. In step 907, the average processing time is obtained. This is a process of calculating the average required processing time of all the required processing times of the node determined in step 904.

The minimum processing time, the longest processing time, and the average processing time of the node obtained as described above are returned to the processing time calculation device 204.

In this embodiment, the required processing time is calculated when a request for the required processing time of the node is made. However, the required processing time is calculated in advance to improve the processing performance, and the result is calculated. A structure may be used in which the stored result is returned to the request source.

Next, using the flowchart of FIG.
The processing flow when the processing time is calculated by the processing time calculation device 204 of FIG. 2 and the processing time is displayed on the user interface 203 will be described in detail. When the user submits a new matter, the workflow control device 201 executes the processing of FIG. 12 described later. In the processing, the user needs to know the actual processing time of the matter and set a processing deadline. The process of FIG. 10 is started.

In step 1001, the business process definition information 205 of FIG. 2 is obtained. That is, the business process identifier of the business process in which the matter is entered is acquired from the business process information 400 (FIG. 4). If the case has been processed, the case information 20 shown in FIG.
6, the business process identifier 502 of the business process in which the case is registered is acquired using the case identifier 501 as a key. From the acquired business process identifier, all the node identifiers 401 and the node names 402 belonging to the business process are acquired from the node information 400.

In step 1002, the required processing time of all the acquired nodes is acquired. This is because the workflow analysis device 202 of FIG.
Is called to obtain the minimum processing time, the longest processing time, and the average processing time. Next, in step 1003, the current date and time are obtained. In step 1004, the holiday information 208 of FIG. 7 is obtained. That is, the start time, the end time, and the holiday of the business are acquired by referring to the holiday information 208 via the workflow log analyzer 202.

In step 1005, the processing time of each node predicted at the time of inputting the case is obtained. That is, with the current time obtained in step 1003 as a starting point, a predicted value of the date and time when the processing of each node is completed is obtained from the required processing time of the node obtained in step 1002 and the holiday information obtained in step 1004. As the processing time of each node, the predicted value of the shortest processing time, the predicted value of the longest processing time, and the predicted value of the shortest processing time corresponding to each of the shortest processing time, the longest processing time, and the average processing time acquired in step 1002 Obtain the predicted value of the average processing time. These processing times are obtained for all nodes belonging to the business process to be processed.

Next, in step 1006, the processing completion time of the matter is obtained. This is a process for obtaining the completion time of the case from the processing times of all the nodes obtained in step 1005. In step 1007, it is determined whether or not the user has given an instruction to display the obtained processing time. If there is no instruction to display the processing time, the process ends. If there is an instruction, the process proceeds to step 1008. Step 1
In 008, the processing time obtained in step 1005 is displayed. In particular, the average processing time, the shortest processing time,
Since there is an instruction to display which of the processing time and the longest processing time, the instructed processing time is displayed. In addition, a separately set processing time limit is displayed.

In step 1009, it is determined whether or not there is a request from the user for changing the processing time limit via the user interface 203. If there is a request to change the processing time limit, the process proceeds to step 1010; otherwise, the process ends.

In step 1010, a processing time limit change screen is displayed, and an operation of changing the processing time limit by the user is accepted. In step 1011, it is determined whether or not the processing term change operation received in step 1010 is reflected in the actual processing term data. This depends on whether the user has clicked the OK button or the Cancel button on the processing time limit change screen. To reflect the change in the processing time limit, the value of the processing time limit changed by the user is passed to the processing time calculation device 204 via the user interface 203 in step 1012, and the processing time limit recalculated based on the changed value is calculated. The processing deadline is set in the processing deadline information 209 (FIG. 8) and returned to the user interface 203 to return to step 1008, where the processing deadline is displayed again. If the change in the processing time limit is not reflected, the process returns to steps 1011 to 1008.

Next, using the flowchart of FIG.
A description will be given of the flow of processing in which the workflow control device 201 in FIG. 2 checks the processing deadline of a matter and automatically changes the priority. This processing is called at step 1205 in FIG.

In step 1101, the current date and time are obtained. In step 1102, it is determined whether the matter is being processed. If the process is being performed, the process is terminated. If the process is not being performed, the process proceeds to step 1103. In this case, the status 504 of the case concerned is acquired from the case information 206 (FIG. 5), and the process is terminated if “in process”, and proceeds to the next process if “unprocessed”.

In step 1103, the processing time limit of the node is obtained. That is, based on the processing time limit information 209, the processing time limit 80
Acquire 4. In step 1104, it is determined whether the processing time limit has been exceeded. That is, step 11
By comparing the current date and time acquired in step 01 with the processing time limit of the node obtained in step 1103, it is determined whether or not the matter has exceeded the processing time limit. If the processing time limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step 1105, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1106.

In step 1105, the priority of the case is raised. Specifically, if the priority 506 of the case in the case information 206 (FIG. 5) is “normal”, the original priority 50
7 is set to “Normal” and the priority 506 is set to “Urgent”
Change to

In step 1106, it is determined whether the priority has been raised. This is obtained by acquiring the original priority 507 and priority 506 of the case in the case information 206 of FIG.
06 is a process of determining whether or not the priority is higher than the original priority 507. If the priority has not risen, the process ends. If the priority has risen, the process proceeds to step 1107. In step 1107, the priority is lowered. Specifically, the priority 505 of the case in the case information 206 of FIG. 5 is changed to the value set in the original priority 507, and the original priority 507 is changed.
To unset.

In this embodiment, the priority is set to one of "urgent" and "normal". However, "1, 2, 3 ..." or "A, B, C ..." It is also possible to set more subdivided priorities. In this case, more detailed prioritization can be performed.

Next, using the flowchart of FIG.
The flow of processing from the submission of an item to its completion in the workflow control device 201 of FIG. 2 will be described. When the user instructs the user to submit a case from the user interface 203, the process of FIG.

In step 1201, a processing deadline for a case for which an input has been instructed is set. This is a process of calling the process of FIG. 10 of the processing time calculation device 204 to set the processing time limit of the matter. In step 1202, an input process of the matter is performed. This is achieved by adding the case information specified by the user to the case information 206 of FIG.
This is a process of adding the processing deadline information of the case to 09.

In step 1203, the case is changed. This is a process of changing the case information of the case information 206 of FIG. 5 and transitioning a transitionable case to the next node. Immediately after a matter is entered, the matter is transitioned to the start node of the business process.

In step 1204, it is determined whether the business process has been completed. That is, step 12
It is checked whether the node shifted in 03 is the last of the business process. If it is not the last node, the process proceeds to step 1205. If the process reaches the last node (end node), the process ends.

In step 1205, the processing time limit of the node is checked. This is a process of checking in the process of FIG. 11 whether the processing deadline has passed at the node where the matter has arrived or stayed. In step 1206,
It is determined whether a processing request has been received from the user for the matter. This is to determine whether a user (a worker at each node or the like) has issued a request to process a matter in order to perform processing at each node. If a processing request has been received, the process proceeds to step 1207. If no processing request has been received, the process returns to step 1205.

At step 1207, processing of the case is performed. That is, the case processing is performed by the user via the user interface 203 of FIG. When the process is completed, the log information of the node is added to the workflow log 207 of FIG. After step 1207, the process returns to step 1203.

The upper part of FIG. 13 shows an example of a processing term setting screen on the user interface 203. This is the screen displayed in step 1008 of FIG.
The processing time limit setting screen 1301 includes a business process display area 1302 and a processing time limit information area 1303.

In the business process display area 1302,
The business process acquired from the business process definition information 205 via the workflow control device 201 is displayed. This is the display of arrows indicating the nodes that constitute the business process and the order of processing at those nodes. Further, above each node, a processing time calculator 1
The processing time of the node obtained by the step 04, that is, the date and time indicating when the case entered at the present time is completed based on the past results is displayed. The date and time of the currently set processing time limit is displayed below each node.

The processing time limit information screen 1303 includes an area 1306 for displaying the name of the business process, a combo box 1307 for switching the display of the processing time, and an OK button 1 for confirming the change or specification of the processing time.
308, a button 1309 for changing the processing time limit or canceling the specification, and a "set processing time" button 131 for setting the displayed processing time to the processing time limit
0.

By using the combo box 1307, "average processing time", "shortest processing time" or "longest processing time" can be switched. When "Average processing time" is specified, the value when each node is processed with the average processing time,
When "minimum processing time" is specified, the value when each node is processed with the shortest processing time, when "longest processing time" is specified, the value when each node is processed with the longest processing time, It is displayed at the processing time 1304 of the node.
When a “set processing time” button 1310 is pressed, the displayed processing time 1304 is automatically set as the processing time limit 1305 of the node.

The lower part of FIG. 13 shows an example of the processing term change screen of the node. When the user clicks a node whose processing expiration is to be changed on the processing expiration setting screen 1301, a node processing expiration change screen 1311 is displayed. This is shown in FIG.
0 is a screen displayed in step 1010 of FIG. The node processing term change screen 1311 includes an area 1312 for displaying a node name, an area 1313 for entering a processing term, an OK button 1314 for confirming the change, and a cancel button 1315 for canceling the change.

In the case of the node indicating the start of the business process (node A in the processing time limit setting screen 1301), if the area for inputting the processing time limit is changed, the processing time is recalculated based on the change.

The processing when the “set processing time” button 1310 is pressed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

At step 1401, the designated processing time is determined. Step 1402 for average processing time
To the step 1404 if the processing time is the shortest, and to step 1403 if the processing time is the longest. In step 1402, an average processing time is obtained. This is a process of acquiring the average processing time obtained by the process of FIG. In step 1403, the longest processing time is obtained. This is a process for acquiring the longest processing time obtained by the process of FIG. In step 1404,
Get the shortest processing time. This is a process for acquiring the shortest processing time obtained by the process of FIG. After steps 1402 to 1404, in step 1405, the acquired processing time is set as a processing time limit, displayed, and the processing is terminated.

The processing of the user interface shown in FIG. 13 can be performed not only at the time of project entry but also after project entry. FIG. 15 shows an example of a processing time limit setting screen displayed on the user interface 203 for the matter after the matter is entered.

In the example of FIG. 15, the case has arrived at the node C, and the processing has been completed from the node A to the node B. Nodes for which processing has been completed and nodes for which processing has not been completed are displayed separately. In the figure, the nodes are displayed with different colors, and the line of the route where the matter has transitioned is displayed with a different thickness. Such a symbol may be displayed.

For a node that has completed processing, such as node A, the processing completion time (the time when processing is actually completed) 15
03 and the processing deadline 1504 set by the user are displayed.
For a node whose processing is not completed, such as the node C, the processing time is calculated and displayed by the processing time calculation device 204 starting from the time when the matter arrives at the node (the predicted value is obtained for the node D and the like thereafter). . The user can change the processing deadline 1502 for all nodes that have not been completed and for which there is a possibility that the matter will arrive. The processing time is not displayed for a node such as the node E where it is determined that the matter does not arrive due to a branch condition or the like. Also, the processing time limit of this node cannot be changed.

Referring to FIG. 16, a process of displaying the processing completion time at the node displayed in FIG. 15 will be described.
In step 1601, the business process information 4 shown in FIG.
Get 00. That is, the business process identifier 502 is obtained from the case information 206 with the case identifier of the target case. In step 1602, node information is obtained.
That is, from the business process identifier acquired in step 1601, the node identifier 30
6 is acquired. In step 1603, the processing completion date is obtained. That is, the completion date of the corresponding node is obtained from the workflow log 603 based on the node identifier and the case identifier. In step 1604, the completion date and time are displayed, and the process ends.

According to the above embodiment, since the processing time is presented for each operation of each node based on the past operation results, the user can set the processing time limit at each node with reference to the processing time. effective. In addition, there is an effect that the processing time limit of each node can be changed even after the case is submitted. Further, each node compares the current date and time with the processing deadline of the case and changes the priority of the processing of the case, so that the case processing can be performed efficiently.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to effectively manage the deadline of the processing of each worker in the workflow system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration diagram of an embodiment for implementing a method of setting a processing time limit in a workflow system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration diagram of a system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of node information of the system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of business process information of the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of case information of the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of a workflow log of the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of holiday information of the system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of processing expiration information of the system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process of analyzing a processing time of a node in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process of obtaining and displaying a processing time of a node in the system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing for changing the priority of a case in the system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing from the input of a matter to the completion in the system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing time limit setting screen at the time of project entry of the system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing for setting a processing time limit collectively by a processing time setting button in the system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a processing time limit setting screen of the system according to the embodiment after inputting a case.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process of obtaining a processing completion date and time of a node in the system of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 102 ... Workflow client, 103 ...
Workflow server, 104 ... network, 105 ...
Workflow control device, 106: processing time calculation device, 1
07: Workflow log analyzer, 108: Business process definition information, 109: Case information, 110: Processing time limit information, 111: Workflow log, 112: Holiday information.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of displaying a processing time in a workflow system for performing a business while transferring an electronic document in a predetermined order, wherein the processing system processes a matter input to a business process configured by a node which is a processing unit of the workflow. Storing a past processing result for each node in the workflow system having a function of performing a process for each node required to process a matter input to a business process based on the past processing result. A processing time display method in a workflow system, comprising: calculating a time; and displaying the calculated processing time of each node. 2. A method for setting a processing deadline in a workflow system for performing a business while transferring an electronic document in a predetermined order, comprising: processing a matter entered in a business process constituted by nodes which are processing units of a workflow; Storing a past processing result for each node in the workflow system having a function of performing a process for each node required to process a matter input to a business process based on the past processing result. Calculating the time; displaying the configuration and the processing order of the nodes of the business process; and completing the processing at that node calculated based on the past processing results near each of the displayed nodes. The expected processing time and the processing at the node requested by the user should be completed A method for setting a processing time limit in a workflow system, comprising: displaying a processing time limit; and changing the setting of the processing time limit. 3. A method for setting a processing deadline in a workflow system according to claim 2, wherein the processing time for each node calculated based on the past processing results is collectively set as a processing deadline for each node. A processing time limit setting method in a workflow system, further comprising a step. 4. A method for setting a processing time limit in a workflow system according to claim 2, wherein when the setting of the processing time limit is changed for a certain node, the processing time for nodes subsequent to that node is recalculated and displayed again. A processing time limit setting method in a workflow system, further comprising a step. 5. A method for setting a processing deadline in a workflow system according to claim 2, wherein when a matter arrives at a node and stays there, it is determined whether or not the current date and time has passed the processing deadline of the matter in the node. A processing deadline setting method in a workflow system, further comprising: a step; and, if the processing deadline has passed, raising a priority of processing of the matter. 6. A method for setting a processing deadline in a workflow system according to claim 2, wherein when a matter arrives at a node and stays there, it is determined whether or not a current date and time is within the processing deadline of the node of the matter. A method for setting a processing time limit in a workflow system, further comprising: a step; and, if within the processing time limit, lowering the priority of processing of the matter.