JP2001319183A - Workfow management system and workflow management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workflow management system where the notification is given to all execution candidates of a workflow process (task) and only one of candidates who decided to execute the workflow task by themselves can execute this task. SOLUTION: When one of tasks included in a workflow can be processed, an agent distributes the mail showing the task to the mailbox of relevant client 14 for all candidates who are going to execute the task. When the mail is opened and a document icon is selected, the task processing document of the link destination is downloaded and displayed as a document 145. When a start button 136b on the document 145 is selected, the task processing client program 146 that is embedded in the document 145 is called out to have communication with the task processing server program 131 of a server 13. Thus, the program 131 exclusively inquires of a server 12 about propriety of the task processing that is started by relevant user and then sends back this inquiry result to the program 146.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for sequentially sending a job to a person in charge of a job or a plurality of people in a predetermined order, and only one of the people who have been notified of the job can execute the job. The present invention relates to a workflow management system, and more particularly to a workflow management system and a workflow management method that effectively utilize groupware having an electronic bulletin board system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a workflow management system digitizes and manages a flow of documents, such as a request for approval and a reimbursement for travel expenses, which are circulated in a predetermined order and are approved or denied. . Therefore, in the workflow management system, a task is sequentially sent to a person in charge of the task (executor who executes the task) or a plurality of persons (candidates of the actors) in a predetermined order. Only one person can do the job. In other words, the workflow management system notifies the candidate (execution candidate) of the person who executes the job by e-mail (e-mail) or the like, and when any one of the execution candidates starts the job, There is an exclusive control mechanism in which other execution candidates do not need to execute the task (cannot be executed).

On the other hand, software called groupware is used in cooperation with a workflow management system. The groupware supports intellectual work of each user in the group, and is characterized by realizing communication and sharing of information between users to improve work efficiency by the group.

[0004] The groupware is basically based on a mail (e-mail), which is a communication method for one-to-one communication, or a bulletin board (electronic bulletin board) function for storing information. For this reason, in the workflow management system linked with the groupware, a notification is issued to all the candidates of the executor, and one executor cannot execute the task exclusively. In particular, in many groupware, it is called replication etc.
Since there is a form in which data is exchanged between a plurality of server machines, that is, a form in which a copy of data is stored in a plurality of server machines, exclusive control is difficult.

[0005] As described above, in the workflow management system linked with the groupware, even if the workflow management system is operated behind the groupware and the workflow processing is executed, one executor exclusively executes the work ( Task) could not be performed.

[0006]

In order to link a workflow management system and groupware, an agent system for cooperation is used. This agent system selects the worker who performs the work when the work becomes executable in the workflow management system,
It was common for the worker to start work and then notify the worker using the email function of the groupware.

As described above, conventionally, since the agent system automatically determines the executor, substantially only one candidate is assigned to one workflow work.

[0008] Even if the work of the workflow is assigned to a plurality of candidates, each candidate can determine whether only the candidate is performing the work or whether another candidate has already performed the work. In order to confirm, there is a problem that a user operation is required such that an agent system in the groupware server machine has to process once and read the screen again.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to notify all the candidates for execution of a task when the process (task) of the workflow becomes executable. An object of the present invention is to provide a workflow management system and a workflow management method in which only one of the candidates determined to execute the task can execute the task.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an agent system for notifying each of a plurality of users of groupware registered as candidates for execution of a task which has become processable in a workflow, the task, A task processing start declaration means for declaring the start of processing of the task notified by the agent system in accordance with a user operation;
In response to the task processing start declaration by the task processing start declaration means, the task processing for requesting the groupware server machine side for groupware management to check whether the corresponding user can execute the task processing. In response to the request by the execution permission confirmation requesting means and the task processing execution permission confirmation requesting means, by communicating with the workflow server machine that manages the workflow, it is excluded whether or not the task can be executed by the corresponding user. And a task processing execution availability check means provided in the groupware server machine for notifying the user of the result of the check, and notifying the user of the check result.

In such a configuration, the agent system notifies all the execution candidates of the task that can be processed, without deciding who executes the task. When the start of task processing is declared in response to the operation of each user (execution candidate) who has received this task notification, whether or not the candidate can execute task processing is automatically requested to the groupware server machine side. Is done. On the groupware server machine side, the task processing execution availability confirmation unit communicates with the workflow server machine in real time each time this request is issued, so that the process of confirming whether the task can be executed by the corresponding user is prompt. And the result is notified to the user side. Since the above-mentioned confirmation processing is performed exclusively (for example, in the order of request) on the groupware server machine side, it is not notified to a plurality of users that the processing of the same task is executable, that is, the plurality of users are the same. Tasks are not started simultaneously.

[0012] As described above, the confirmation of whether or not the task processing can be executed according to the task processing start declaration (request) from the candidate who has received the task notification is performed by the task processing executable confirmation means on the groupware server machine, that is, the workflow. By performing the processing immediately by the task processing execution availability check means having the client function, only one of the candidates determined to execute the task can execute the task promptly. Accordingly, workflow processing can be performed in an application field of groupware such as a window service for notifying a plurality of candidates.

Further, according to the present invention, a task processing document to be processed by a task that can be processed in a workflow is set in the electronic bulletin board by using an electronic bulletin board of a bulletin board system generally provided in the groupware server machine. In addition to the above configuration, the agent system uses an e-mail with link information to the corresponding task processing document to notify all of the execution candidates that the task can be processed. When the e-mail (mail document) addressed to the user is opened by a user operation on the groupware client machine on the side and the link information (for example, link information in an icon format) is selected, a link is generated based on the link information. The document for task processing on the bulletin board is down to the groupware client machine. Also characterized by applying the structure to be over-de. Here, the task processing execution availability confirmation request means operates on the groupware client machine.

In such a configuration, the bulletin board system of the groupware server machine can be effectively used, and a communication function (workflow client function) with the workflow server machine is prepared or distributed to the groupware client machine. Not just one
It becomes possible to determine a person who performs a task process.

Here, the task processing execution availability confirmation request means may be realized by a predetermined embedded program embedded in the task processing document. Also, a task processing start declaration means for calling (starting) this embedded program (task processing client program) is provided by a GUI.
(Graphical User Interface), if it is realized by an operation command such as a button-type command, a menu-type command, or a shortcut key, the user can perform a single operation such as a button operation, a menu selection operation, or a shortcut key operation. It becomes possible to call (start up) an embedded program (task processing execution availability confirmation request means). Further, the task processing execution availability checking means provided in the groupware server machine may be realized by a service program (task processing server program) having a client function of a workflow.

In addition, since task processing documents for various tasks can exist on the bulletin board, the task processing document, a task notification e-mail, and whether or not task processing can be performed. It is preferable to add task identification information (task ID) for specifying each task to the confirmation request. The task processing document may also include task status information indicating the status of the corresponding task (for example, “executable”, “executing”, “execution completed”, etc.).
In this configuration, the task state of the task processing document downloaded to the groupware client machine on the user side where the task processing can be executed may be changed from “executable” to “executing”. When the task processing is completed, the task status of the edited task processing document is changed from “in progress” to “execution completed”, and the changed task processing document is used to execute the corresponding task processing on the bulletin board. You just need to update your document.

The present invention relating to the above-described apparatus (workflow management system) is also realized as an invention relating to a method (workflow management method). Further, the invention relating to the above-mentioned workflow management system (or workflow management method) provides an electronic bulletin board system for restricting the number of users who can simultaneously write a posted document on the electronic bulletin board (or a limitation on the number of simultaneously writable users in the system). Method) can be considered as the invention.

Here, exclusive control can be performed by limiting the number of users who can simultaneously write to the posted document to l. Also, by prohibiting many users from writing to a specific bulletin board at the same time, it is possible to prevent performance degradation and prevent confusion of discussion.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a workflow management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a network 11 such as a LAN or the Internet includes a workflow server machine (hereinafter, referred to as a workflow server) 12 and a groupware server machine (hereinafter, referred to as a groupware server) 1.
3 and a plurality of groupware client machines (hereinafter, referred to as groupware clients) 14 are connected.

The workflow server 12 sequentially distributes a task to a task executor or a candidate of the task executor (execution candidate) in a predetermined order, and executes one of the task candidates who has received the task distribution. Only a computer for managing so that it can perform business, that is, for managing mechanical work.

Each time a task such as approval or denial becomes executable in a series of work flows, the workflow server 12 determines a candidate for an executor to execute the task. Here, the order of executing the tasks is determined in advance. Usually, the order is determined using a GUI by a function of the workflow management system.

The groupware server 13 is a computer for supporting the intellectual work of each user in the group and improving the efficiency of the group work. Groupware server 1
3, a task processing server program 131 and a workflow API (Application Program Interface) 1
32 are operable.

The task processing server program 131 is called from a task processing client program 146 to be described later, communicates with the workflow server 12 to check whether the user can execute a process, and returns a result to the task processing client program 146. To achieve the function. The workflow API 132 provides an interface for the task processing server program 131 to communicate with the workflow server 12.

The groupware server 13 has an electronic bulletin board system having a bulletin board (electronic bulletin board) 133 that can be used by each groupware client 14, and an electronic mail function.

The groupware server 13 also has an e-mail issuance control agent 134 for controlling e-mail issuance, in addition to the e-mail function inherent in the groupware server 13. The mail issuance control agent 134 is activated by the workflow server 12, acquires from the workflow server 12 information on execution candidates for tasks that can be processed in the workflow in the workflow server 12, and executes all the execution candidates. Has a new mail issuing function for issuing a mail for notifying the task.

The mail issuance control agent 1
34 is not necessarily provided on the groupware server 13, and may be provided on a dedicated client machine (mail issuing client machine) or an arbitrary groupware client 14.

Each groupware client 14 has a GUI, and the data on the bulletin board 133 from the groupware server 13 (here, the task to be processed by the task notified by the mail issued by the mail issuance control agent 134) By downloading the processing document), the data can be referenced and changed by a user operation.

The groupware client 14
When the downloaded data (document for task processing) is changed by the operation of the user, the changed data is transmitted to the groupware server 13 in response to the operation of closing the screen by the user (here, the completion operation). Send it back.
A change in data due to a user operation is periodically notified to the workflow server 12 by a daemon or the like on the groupware server 13 side.

Each groupware client 14 also has a mailbox 141 unique to the user of the client (client machine). A mail (mail document) issued to the user of the groupware client 14 by the mail issuing control agent 134 is stored in the mailbox 141 of the client 14. In addition, the mailbox 141 for each user
May be placed in a predetermined server.

Next, the operation of the workflow management system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3.
First, when a job (work) is started in the workflow server 12 and one task (work) in the job is ready for processing, a document (task processing document) 136 to be processed by the task is grouped. Wear server 1
Bulletin board 1 on the server 13 by the bulletin board system 3
33 is set. The task processing document 136 is a template of a document unique to the job if the task is the first (leading) task in the workflow, and is updated in the processing of the preceding task if the task is in the middle of the workflow. Document.

The task processing document 136 includes task status information indicating the status of the corresponding task (for example, “executable”, “executing”, “execution completed”, etc.), and a task ID as identification information of the task. Is included in the hidden field 136a. This hidden field 136a
Are not displayed and cannot be seen by the user.

When a task in the middle of the workflow can be processed, the document updated by the processing of the preceding task as described above is used as the task processing document 136, but the task state is changed from “execution completed” to “completed”. In the “executable” state, the task ID is changed to a task ID that can be newly processed.

The task processing document 136 further includes a "start" button 136b for the user to declare the start of the task (in a display state of the document 136) and a "completion" button for notifying the completion of the task. The information of various instruction buttons (command buttons) related to the task processing, including the “button 136c”, is set in advance.

When one task (work) in the job is ready to be processed in the workflow server 12, "task ready (TASK_READY)"
When an event 121 occurs, a trigger activation 122 is applied to the mail issuing control agent 134 by the event 121. Here, it is assumed that the task that can be processed is the approval or denial processing of the business trip application.

Then, the mail issuance control agent 134
Communicates with the workflow server 12 and sends a task name (task I
D) and information of all the candidates (persons in charge) who execute the task with the task name (being a user of the groupware). And the mail issuance control agent 134
Sends an e-mail indicating the task with the corresponding task name (task ID) to all users who have become execution candidates.
Groupware client 1 used by the user (
4) Mail transmission 13 to be distributed to the mailbox 141
Perform step 5. A document icon (143a) described below indicating a link to the task processing document (136) to be processed by the corresponding task is added (set) to this e-mail.

When the user of the groupware client 14 recognizes that the mail has been distributed to the mailbox 141, an operation 14 for opening the mail (mail document) is performed.
Do 2 Then, a mail document 143 for notifying a task to be processed (approve or reject processing of a business trip application) is opened. The mail document 143 includes the task ID of the corresponding task and, as described above, the task processing document 13 on the bulletin board 133 of the groupware server 13.
A document icon 143a indicating a link to No. 6 is added.

When the user performs an operation 144 of clicking (selecting) the document icon 143a, the task processing document 136 on the bulletin board 133 of the groupware server 13 linked to the document icon 143a is called. Then, a process of downloading 137 to the groupware client 14 is performed.

As a result, the task processing document 145 which is a copy of the task processing document 136 on the bulletin board 133 is displayed on the display of the groupware client 14 with the task to be processed (in this case, the approval or denial processing of the business trip application). ) Is displayed in a form, for example. The display screen (window) of the task processing document 145 is called a business screen. The user (candidate for execution) can check the contents of the task (business) on the business screen.

The “start” button 136 b and the “completion” button 13 are displayed on the task processing document 145 (the business screen on which is displayed) which is a copy of the task processing document 136.
6c, various command buttons related to task processing. The “start” button 136b realizes a mechanism that activates a specific program (hereinafter, referred to as a task processing client program) 146 that determines to start the execution of the task, in addition to the user declaring the start of the execution of the task. It is for. It should be noted that instead of such a GUI button-type command, a menu-type command can be used, or a specific key or key combination (shortcut key) can be assigned to each command.

When the user (candidate for execution) refers to the task processing document 145 on the business screen and confirms the contents of the task (business), the user (self) intends to start processing the task. Is the task processing document 1 on the business screen
The user clicks (presses) the "start" button 136b attached to the button 45 to declare that he or she is to perform the process, and to prevent other users from starting the process of the task.
However, as described below, when another user has already started the task processing, the task processing cannot be started even if the task processing is declared.

The task processing client program 146 is linked to the "start" button 136b. In other words, the task processing client program 146 is embedded (embedded) in the task processing document 145 opened on the business screen, linked to the “start” button 136b. This is stored in the task processing document 136 on the bulletin board 133 of the groupware server 13.
This is because the task processing client program 146 is embedded in a link with the “start” button 136b. Such a program is generally called a script or an embedded program.

When the "start" button 136b on the task processing document 145 opened on the business screen is clicked, the task processing client program 146 is clicked.
147 is performed.

Task processing client program 146
Performs a communication 148 in real time with the task processing server program 131 on the groupware server 13 and inquires of the workflow server 12 via the task processing server program 131 whether task processing can be started. Embedded in the hidden field 136a of the task processing document 145 (a task status information section thereof), and has a function of notifying the user by screen display or the like.

For this reason, when the task processing client program 146 is called,
(Accordingly, the groupware client 14) calls the task processing server program 131 on the groupware server 13 to perform communication 148, and instructs the workflow server 12 to start processing the task indicated by the task ID set in the hidden field 136a. Ask to inquire about availability.

As described above, the task processing document 145 (1
36), a task processing client program 146 for communicating with the task processing server program 131 is installed, so that each groupware client 14 performs communication between the groupware client 14 and the task processing server program 131. (Same version) API as compared to the task processing client program 146
Need not be distributed from the groupware server 13, for example.

Now, the task processing server program 131
Is called by the task processing client program 146, and an inquiry about whether or not to start the task processing is requested, the task processing server program 131 (according to the groupware server 13) executes the workflow AP
Communication 138 is performed with the workflow server 12 via I132, and it is confirmed whether or not the user can start processing the inquired task.

Here, the task processing server program 13
The operation 1 is exclusively performed for an inquiry from the task processing server program 131 on one groupware client 14, and the inquiry from the task processing server program 131 on another groupware client 14 is waited. Therefore, a plurality of users do not start the same task processing at the same time. If another user has already started the task processing or the task has disappeared, the user cannot start the task processing.

The workflow server 12 has a task I
In response to the first inquiry (confirmation processing) from the task processing server program 131 for the processing of the task D, the processing start permission is returned. On the other hand, if another user has already started the task processing or the task has disappeared, the processing failure is returned with a reason to that effect.

In response, the task processing server program 131 (according to the groupware server 13) notifies the task processing client program 146 of the result of the confirmation processing for the workflow server 12.

Task processing client program 146
Refers to the confirmation result from the task processing server program 131. If the confirmation result indicates that the task processing can be started, the task processing client program 146 permits the user to edit the task processing document 136 opened on the business screen, and also allows the user to edit the document 136. The task status information in the hidden field 136a is changed from "executable" to "executing". On the other hand, if the task processing cannot be started, the task processing client program 146 notifies the user of the reason.

When the user is permitted to edit the document 136 for task processing, the user edits (enters) data for the task processing corresponding to the document 136 (here, approval of the business trip application or Entry operation for denial).

The user who has completed the task processing (business)
The user clicks the "Done" button 136c added to the task processing document 136 opened on the business screen.
Then, the groupware client 14 uses the bulletin board system of the groupware server 13 to update the task processing document 136 on the bulletin board 133 based on the task processing document 145 after editing (task processing) by user operation. In this updating process, the task processing document 136 is used.
Is replaced with the task processing document 145, or the task processing document 145
Any of the above-described methods of reflecting only the changed / added portions may be applied.

On the other hand, when the user who cannot start the task processing (business) clicks the “complete” button 136c, only the display screen (business screen) of the task processing document 136 is hidden. It is.

The groupware server 13 checks each task I
Workflow server 1 periodically checks the status of task processing in D
Notify 2. When notified of the completion of the task processing from the groupware server 13, the workflow server 12 selects the next task processing execution candidate.

The case where the present invention is applied to the workflow management system has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the technology applied in the workflow management system, that is, only one of the task process execution candidates who first declared the start of the task process executes the task process and updates the document on the bulletin board 133. The technology that can be used is applicable to restricting users who can write simultaneously to each electronic bulletin board (for example, to one person) in an electronic bulletin board system.

More specifically, the task processing server program 1 can limit the number of simultaneous writers for each electronic bulletin board.
A service program corresponding to the task processing client program 146 is prepared, and an embedded program called a script corresponding to the task processing client program 146 is embedded in a document (posting document) set in the electronic bulletin board. When trying to write to a document, the service program is called from the embedded program and the number of users who can simultaneously write to the posted document by this service program is confirmed. (For example, to one person).

[0058]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a process (task) of a workflow becomes executable, the agent system does not automatically determine the executor, and A notification is sent to all the execution candidates, and the workflow server is inquired of whether or not the candidate can execute the task in response to the operation of the candidate who has decided to execute the notification among the candidates who have received the notification. Since the checking operation is performed exclusively on the groupware server machine side, only one of the candidates determined to execute the task can execute the task.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the operation of the workflow management system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of the workflow management system in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Network 12 ... Workflow server (workflow server machine) 13 ... Groupware server (groupware server machine) 14 ... Groupware client (groupware client machine) 131 ... Task processing server program (task processing execution availability confirmation means) 132 ... Workflow API 133: bulletin board (electronic bulletin board) 134: mail issuing control agent (agent system) 136: task processing document (task processing document on bulletin board 133) 136a: hidden field 136b: "start" button (task processing start declaration) Means) 136c "Done" button 141 ... Mail box 143 ... Mail document 143a ... Document icon (link information, download means) 145 ... Task processing document (group) E task processing for the document on the business screen of A client 14) 146 ... task processing client program (task processing executability confirmation request means)

Claims (8)

[Claims] An agent system for notifying each of a plurality of users of groupware registered as candidates for execution of a task that has become processable in a workflow the task, and an agent system for notifying the task notified by the agent system. A task process start declaration unit for declaring the process start in response to a user operation, and receiving a task process start declaration by the task process start declaration unit, and determining whether a corresponding user can execute the task process. A task processing execution availability confirmation request unit that requests the groupware server machine for groupware management to confirm, and a workflow server machine that manages the workflow in response to a request by the task processing execution availability confirmation request unit. Whether the task can be executed by the relevant user by communicating A workflow management system, comprising: a task processing execution availability check unit provided in the groupware server machine for exclusively checking whether or not the process is possible and notifying the user of the check result. 2. A groupware server machine for managing groupware, the groupware server machine having an electronic bulletin board on which a task processing document to be processed for a task that can be processed in a workflow is set. An e-mail for notifying each of a plurality of users of groupware registered as candidates for execution of a task that has become processable in the workflow of the task, and the task processing to be processed by the task An agent system having an e-mail issuing function of issuing an e-mail to which link information to a document is added, and the link information added to the e-mail issued by the agent system is selected by a user operation By doing so, the tag on the bulletin board linked by the link information Download means for downloading a document for processing to a groupware client machine on which the user operation has been performed, and for declaring, according to the user operation, the start of processing of the task accompanied by editing of the downloaded document for task processing. Receiving the task processing start declaration by the task processing start declaring means, and confirming whether or not the corresponding user can execute the task processing to the groupware server machine. The requested user can execute the task processing by communicating with a task processing execution availability confirmation requesting unit and a workflow server machine that manages the workflow in response to a request from the task processing execution availability confirmation requesting unit. Is checked exclusively and the result is sent to the user. Workflow management system characterized by comprising a knowledge that, task processing executability check means provided in the groupware server machine. 3. The workflow management system according to claim 2, wherein said task processing execution availability confirmation requesting means is realized by a predetermined embedded program embedded in said task processing document. 4. A step of notifying each of a plurality of users of groupware registered as candidates for execution of a task in the workflow that can be processed, the task, and an operation of the user who has received the task notification. Requesting the groupware server machine for groupware management to confirm whether the user can execute the task processing when the processing start of the corresponding task is declared by: In response to the confirmation request, it communicates with the workflow server machine that manages the workflow to exclusively confirm whether the task can be executed by the relevant user, and notifies the user of the confirmation result. And that only the user who has received the confirmation result of the execution of the task processing can execute the task processing. And a workflow management method. 5. A step of setting a task processing document to be processed by a task that can be processed in a workflow on an electronic bulletin board of a groupware server machine, and an execution candidate of the task that can be processed in the workflow. An email for notifying each of a plurality of users of the groupware registered as the task of the task, and link information to the task processing document to be processed by the task is added to the email. And when the link information added to the e-mail is selected by a user operation, the task processing document on the bulletin board linked by the link information is operated by the user operation Downloading to the performed groupware client machine; and When the start of the task processing accompanied by editing of the document for processing is declared by a user operation on the groupware client machine, it is determined whether or not the user can execute the task processing. Requesting the groupware server machine side, and, in response to the confirmation request, communicating with the workflow server machine managing the workflow to determine whether the user who has declared the task processing start can execute the task processing. Exclusively, and notifying the user of the result of the check, and only the user of the groupware client machine that has received the result of the confirmation that the task processing can be executed has been downloaded. Workflow management characterized by being able to execute task processing involving editing of task processing documents Law. 6. A task processing document having a workflow client function, which is a task processing document that is to be processed by a task that can be processed in a workflow and that has a predetermined embedded program embedded therein. Setting on an electronic bulletin board of a groupware server machine on which the program can operate, and notifying the plurality of users of the groupware registered as execution candidates of the task that can be processed in the workflow of the task. Issuing an e-mail to which link information to the task processing document to be processed by the task is attached, and using the link information added to the e-mail. When selected by a user operation, the post linked by the link information Downloading the task processing document on the board to the groupware client machine on which the user operation has been performed; and starting the task processing with editing the downloaded task processing document on the groupware client machine. Calling the task processing server program by the embedded program embedded in the task processing document when declared by a user operation, and by the called task processing server program,
Communicating with the workflow server machine that manages the workflow, exclusively confirming whether or not the user who has declared the task processing start can execute the task processing, and notifying the user of the confirmation result; Wherein only the user of the groupware client machine that has received the confirmation result of the execution of the task processing can execute the task processing accompanied with editing of the downloaded task processing document. Workflow management method. 7. An electronic bulletin board system having a plurality of electronic bulletin boards, a management means for restricting the number of users who can write simultaneously on each electronic bulletin board, and Starting means for activating the managing means when writing to the posted document is performed by a user's operation, the managing means being activated by the activating means, and An electronic bulletin board system configured to check the number of users who can simultaneously write in a document, and to control writing to the posted document by the user operation according to the check result. 8. A method for restricting the number of simultaneously writable users in an electronic bulletin board system having a plurality of electronic bulletin boards capable of writing on a posted document in which a predetermined embedded program is embedded, wherein When writing to the bulletin board on the electronic bulletin board, a service program for performing management to limit the number of users who can simultaneously write for each electronic bulletin board is embedded in the bulletin board. Calling by an embedded program, and confirming the number of users who can simultaneously write to the posted document by the called service program, and controlling writing to the posted document by the user operation according to the check result. And a step of limiting the number of simultaneously writable users.