KR20090131426A - Method of workflow process modeling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method of workflow process modeling is provided to enable a user to perform a work conveniently by defining the works to be proper to the thinking of a user in a workflow process. CONSTITUTION: An electronic device receives an additional commands of workflow pattern block, and adds a workflow pattern block(300) corresponding to the additional commands to the location for the additional commands. The workflow pattern block corresponds to one of a sequence block(310), an XOR(Exclusive OR) block(320) and an AND block(330).

Description

Workflow Process Modeling

The present invention relates to a workflow process modeling method, and more particularly, to a workflow process modeling method that can prevent errors without a user's separate action.

Workflow technology refers to a distributed computer-based system that defines a set of workflows, or processes, that occur within or across an enterprise or organization, and controls tasks to be performed automatically with relevant information in a timely manner.

By using workflow technologies and systems to effectively control the flow of increasingly complex and diverse tasks, companies can not only achieve cost savings and productivity gains, but also provide fast, quality service to their customers. As a result, the introduction and application of workflow technologies is an important factor in increasing a company's competitiveness itself. The concept of workflow is rooted in various technical fields such as office automation technology, database technology, document and image management technology, and office work process modeling technology.

Workflow process modeling technology, which is a technology for improving business processes, is divided into modeling technology and analysis technology as a technology for designing and analyzing business processes, and is performed through global workflow process modeling tools and workflow animation and simulation tools. do.

1 is a diagram illustrating an incomplete workflow control flow defined by a workflow process modeling method. Figure 1 used the notation of Kyonggi-ICN (Information Control Net).

The conventional workflow process modeling method is a method of receiving transitions and activities, and expressing their connections graphically or in other languages.

However, according to the conventional method, it is basically possible to define a workflow control flow that is not complete, which may cause an unexpected error in the execution and simulation of the workflow. For example, in FIG. 1, when there is an error in which a transition to be performed when the first activity 100 is completed, an error is not defined, a separate error detection process is not performed, and an unexpected error may occur when this control flow is performed. have. In addition, according to the conventional method, in order to prevent these errors, a separate error checking process or the like has to be performed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an unexpected error without any additional action of a user when performing workflow process modeling.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to be able to define the work to be performed in the workflow process according to the flow of the user's thinking divided into large tasks from small tasks to make it convenient for the user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a workflow process modeling method is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a workflow process modeling method includes a step in which an electronic device receives a workflow pattern block add command and a workflow corresponding to the add command at a location corresponding to the add command. The method may include adding a pattern block.

These general and specific aspects may be practiced using systems, methods, computer programs, or any combination of systems, methods, computer programs.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

According to the present invention, when performing workflow process modeling, an unexpected error can be prevented without a user's separate action.

In addition, according to the present invention can be defined by dividing the work to be performed in the workflow process according to the flow of the user's thinking from a large task to a small task so that the user can conveniently use.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the workflow process modeling method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and Duplicate explanations will be omitted.

Workflow control-flow patterns are patterns for describing the control-flow perspective of a workflow system.

The workflow control flow pattern may consist of a combination of activity and transition.

An activity represents the performance or branching of a task, and may include generic activity, route activity, and the like.

Generic activities are activities that perform a task. The activity that represents the minimum unit of work can be a generic activity. Activities that consist of a combination of other activities and transitions can also be generic activities.

Path activities are activities that represent a branch or convergence when a control flow is divided into two or more flows or when two or more flows converge into one.

A transition represents the transition of the execution flow from one activity to another after completion of the activity.

Basic control-flow patterns among the workflow control flow patterns are types of patterns that express the basic view of process control. Basic control flow patterns include a sequence pattern, a parallel split pattern, a synchronization pattern, an exclusive choice pattern, and a simple merge pattern.

2A is a diagram illustrating a sequence pattern.

The sequence pattern is the pattern by which the next activity can be executed after the end of the previous activity in one process. For example, a sequence pattern is a case where a receipt is issued after a train ticket is issued. Sequences are also called sequential routing or serial routing.

In FIG. 2A, a sequence pattern in which the second activity 202 is performed after the first activity 201 is finished is represented by circles and arrows.

2B illustrates a parallel branching pattern.

The parallel branching pattern is a pattern in which one branch branches into two or more parallel branches, which are executed simultaneously. For example, if a customer pays a price for a product, a receipt can be issued and the product can be packaged at the same time, which is a parallel branching pattern. Parallel branches are also called AND-split, parallel routing, parallel split, or fork.

In FIG. 2B, after the first activity 211 is completed, the second activity 212 and the third activity 213 may be simultaneously performed. When the first activity 211 is completed and the first branch 215 becomes available, control threads are transferred to the second branch 216 and the third branch 217 to transmit the second activity 212 and the third activity ( 213 may be performed simultaneously. In the figure, the path activity 214 is indicated by a black dot to distinguish it from the exclusive branching pattern.

2C is a diagram illustrating a synchronization pattern.

A synchronization pattern is a pattern in which two or more branches converge into one branch. The control thread passes to the next branch when all input branches become available. Branches divided according to the parallel branching pattern can be used in a manner that converges again in the synchronization pattern. For example, the delivery of goods can be performed immediately after the invoice inquiry and the invoice creation are completed, and this is the synchronization pattern. Synchronization is also called AND-join, rendezvous, and synchronizer.

In FIG. 2C, after both the first activity 221 and the second activity 222 are completed, the third activity 223 may be performed. When both the first activity 221 and the second activity 222 are completed and both the first branch 225 and the second branch 226 are available, a control thread is transferred to the third branch 227 to generate a third activity. 223 may be performed. In the figure, the path activity 224 is indicated by a black dot to distinguish it from the simple merge pattern.

2D is a diagram illustrating an exclusive branching pattern.

An exclusive branching pattern is a pattern that branches into two or more branches once an incoming branch becomes available. However, the control thread selects only one of the outgoing branches and delivers only to that branch. For example, after the ballot counting process is completed, only one of the tasks, either publishing the result or recounting, may be performed, depending on the counting result or other conditions (such as whether there was a request for a recount). The case corresponds to an exclusive branching pattern.

In FIG. 2D, only one of the second activity 232 or the third activity 233 may be performed depending on whether a predetermined condition is satisfied after the first activity 231 is terminated. When the first activity 231 is terminated and the first branch 235 becomes available, a control thread is transferred to the second branch 236 or the third branch 237 depending on the condition, and thus the second activity 232. Alternatively, only one of the third activities 233 may be performed. In the figure, the path activity 234 is indicated by a black border and a white interior to distinguish it from the parallel branching pattern.

2E illustrates a simple merge pattern.

A simple merge pattern is a pattern in which two or more branches converge to one branch. When one of the input branches becomes available, the control thread is passed to the next branch. For example, receipt receipt may be performed when either cash payment or credit card payment is completed. This is the simple merge pattern.

In FIG. 2E, when any one of the first activity 241 and the second activity 242 is completed, the third activity 243 may be performed. When the first activity 241 is completed, the first branch 245 becomes available, and when the second activity 242 is completed, the second branch 246 becomes available. When either one of the first branch 245 and the second branch 246 becomes available, a control thread is transferred to the third branch 247 and the third activity 243 may be performed. In the figure, the path activity 244 is marked with a black border and a white interior to distinguish it from the synchronization pattern.

3 is a schematic diagram of a workflow pattern block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The workflow pattern block 300 may include a sequence block 310, an exclusive or (XOR) block 320, and an AND block 330.

The sequence block 310 may include a sequence pattern 311.

4A illustrates a sequence block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The sequence block 410 may include a sequence pattern including the first activity 411, the second activity 412, and the first to third branches 421 to 423. The first activity 411 and the second activity 412 may be composed of a combination of other activities and transitions, or may be an activity representing a minimum unit of work. In addition, the first activity 411 and the second activity 412 may be different workflow pattern blocks.

The XOR block 320 may include an exclusive branch pattern 321 and a simple merge pattern 322.

4B is a diagram illustrating an XOR block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The XOR block 430 separates the first path activity 431 and the second path activity 432, the first generic activity 433 and the second generic activity 434, and the first to sixth branches 441 to 446. It may include.

The XOR block 430 has an exclusive branching pattern including first to third branches 441 to 443 and first path activity 431, and fourth to sixth branches 444 to 446 and second path activity 432. It can include a simple merge pattern that includes). The first generic activity 433 and the second generic activity 434 may be composed of a combination of other activities and transitions, or may be an activity representing a minimum unit of work. In addition, the first generic activity 433 and the second generic activity 434 may be different workflow pattern blocks.

The AND block 330 may include a parallel branch pattern 331 and a synchronization pattern 332.

4C illustrates an AND block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The AND block 450 identifies the first path activity 451 and the second path activity 452, the first generic activity 453 and the second generic activity 454, and the first to sixth branches 461 to 466. It may include.

The AND block 450 includes an exclusive branching pattern including the first to third branches 461 to 463 and the first path activity 451, and the fourth to sixth branches 464 to 466 and the second path activity 452. It can include a simple merge pattern that includes). The first generic activity 453 and the second generic activity 454 may be composed of a combination of other activities and transitions, or may be an activity representing a minimum unit of work. Further, the first generic activity 453 and the second generic activity 454 may be different workflow pattern blocks.

5 is a flowchart of a workflow process modeling process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In operation S510, the electronic device may receive an additional command of the workflow pattern block.

The additional command of the workflow pattern block may be transmitted from the user to the electronic device. The additional command of the workflow pattern block may be transferred from another electronic device to the electronic device where the workflow process modeling method is performed.

If the additional command of the workflow pattern block is delivered directly from the user, it may be delivered by a graphical user interface (GUI), or may be delivered by a text-based user interface (UI) or another user interface.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S510 of FIG. 5.

In operation S511, the electronic device may receive a position to which the workflow pattern block is to be added.

In the case of the GUI, the position can be input by the user clicking the appropriate position with the mouse. In addition, it can receive input using input devices such as a keyboard, trackball, and tablet.

If the object to be added at the selected location is an activity that performs the minimum unit of work, not the workflow pattern block, the user can enter the action to be actually performed by the activity to be added instead of adding the workflow pattern block. The input method can also be based on various user interfaces such as a GUI or a text-based UI. The information to be input may be input by a language capable of representing the activity to be performed, such as programming code or pseudo code, natural language, other promised language or graphic based language.

In operation S512, the type of the workflow pattern block to which the electronic device is to be added may be input.

The type of workflow pattern block to be added may be any one of a sequence block, an XOR block, and an AND block.

7 illustrates a workflow pattern block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the complicated block as shown in FIG. 7 may be defined in advance, and the predefined block may be selected and added.

In step S511 and step S512, the order may be reversed.

In operation S513, when the type of the workflow pattern block to be added is an XOR block, the electronic device may receive a branch condition. Branch conditions can vary depending on the workflow process model, for example whether the parking lot is full or the credit card expiration date has expired.

According to the embodiment, even if the XOR block is not selected, when the branch condition is input, the XOR block is considered to be selected, and the processing may be performed in the same manner as the input for adding the XOR block.

In operation S520, the workflow pattern block of the type received may be added at the input position according to the workflow pattern block addition command.

Information corresponding to the workflow pattern block added in step S530 may be provided in a graphic form.

8 is a diagram showing the notation of BPMN and Kyonggi-ICN.

The added workflow pattern block may be represented as BPMN (Business Process Modeling Notation), Kyonggi-Information Control Net (ICN), or the like. A description of BPMN and Kyonggi-ICN can be found with reference to FIG. 8.

The added workflow pattern block can be represented as an activity and a transition, which can be represented graphically.

Given an activity and a transition, it is obvious to those skilled in the art to express in BPMN, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, referring to the mapping of Kyonggi-ICN and BPMN in FIG. 8, it is obvious to those skilled in the art to express a given activity and transition in Kyonggi-ICN, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Each time a workflow pattern block is added, information from the current workflow process model can be presented directly to the user in graphical form.

Information corresponding to the workflow pattern block added in step S540 may be converted into a workflow process modeling language.

The workflow process modeling language used for the transformation includes eXtensible Markup Language Process Definition Language (XPDL), Workflow Process Definition Language (WPDL), E-business eXtensible Markup Language (ebXML), Web Services Flow Language (WSFL), and Business Process (BPEL4WS). Execution Language for Web Services).

Given the activities and transitions, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to convert them to the workflow process modeling languages, and thus the detailed description is omitted.

The process corresponding to the workflow pattern block added in step S550 may be performed.

The workflow process execution engine is software that can be executed in an electronic device, and may serve to actually execute the workflow process model.

The workflow process execution engine may be performed in the same electronic device as the electronic device performing the workflow process modeling, or may be performed in a separate electronic device.

The workflow process execution engine may be logically separated from the module that performs the workflow process modeling, or the workflow process modeling and workflow process execution may be performed in one module.

The workflow process execution engine may actually perform the workflow process according to the information calculated by the workflow process modeling method described above. The information calculated by the workflow process modeling method may be a certain workflow process modeling language. Even if the workflow process modeling language is not explicitly used, the workflow process execution is possible if the workflow process execution engine can recognize the information generated by the workflow process modeling method.

9 to 13 illustrate a workflow process modeling process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the workflow process modeling process according to the present embodiment, the graphic of FIGS. 9 to 13 may be provided to the user.

The notation of Kyonggi-ICN was used in FIGS. 9-13. However, other graphic based notation such as BPMN may be used. In addition, the user may be provided with a workflow process model expressed in a workflow process modeling language such as XPDL as text-based notation.

In FIG. 9, a position 910 (hereinafter, referred to as a “block position”) in which a workflow pattern block may be added may be displayed between the start event 900 and the end event 999. The user may input a command to select the first block position 910 and to select the sequence block as the type of the block and add it.

In FIG. 10, the sequence block 1010 may be added to the first block position 910 according to a user input. The sequence block 1010 may include a second block position 1020 and a third block position 1030.

The user may select a second block location 1020 and input a command for adding an activity other than the block. The user can input a task to be added or performer of the activity.

The user may input a command for selecting the third block position 1030 and selecting the XOR block as the type of the block to be input and adding the same. The user may input a branch condition of the XOR block to be added to the third block position.

In FIG. 11, a first activity 1120 may be added to a second block location 1020 and an XOR block 1130 may be added to a third block location 1030 according to a user input. The XOR block 1130 may include a fourth block position 1140 and a fifth block position 1150.

The user may input a command to select the fourth block position 1140 and to add the AND block as the type of the block to be input.

The user may select a fifth block position 1150 and input a command for adding an activity other than the block. The user can input a task to be added or performer of the activity. According to an embodiment, an activity to be added may be set to perform no operation.

In FIG. 12, an AND block 1240 may be added to a fourth block location 1140 and a second activity 1250 may be added to a fifth block location 1150 according to a user input. The AND block 1240 may include a sixth block position 1260 and a seventh block position 1270.

The user may select a sixth block position 1260 and input a command for adding an activity other than the block.

The user may select a seventh block position 1270 and input a command for adding an activity other than the block.

In FIG. 13, a third activity 1360 and a fourth activity 1370 may be added to the sixth block position 1260 and the seventh block position 1270, respectively, according to a user input. This completes the workflow process model.

According to an embodiment, it may be possible to select a block and delete it or replace it with another type of workflow pattern block or activity even after the workflow pattern block add command is already input.

According to an embodiment, the user may predefine a complex workflow pattern block as shown in FIG. 7 and input a command to add a predefined complex workflow pattern block at a block position.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Embodiments of the invention may include computer readable media containing program instructions for performing various computer-implemented operations. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, local data files, local data structures, or the like, alone or in combination. The media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

So far I looked at the center of the present invention with respect to the embodiment. Many embodiments other than the above-described embodiments are within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an incomplete workflow control flow defined by a workflow process modeling method.

2A is a diagram illustrating a sequence pattern.

2B illustrates a parallel branching pattern.

2C is a diagram illustrating a synchronization pattern.

2D is a diagram illustrating an exclusive branching pattern.

2E illustrates a simple merge pattern.

3 is a schematic diagram of a workflow pattern block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A illustrates a sequence block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a diagram illustrating an XOR block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4C illustrates an AND block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of a workflow process modeling process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S510 of FIG. 5.

7 illustrates a workflow pattern block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing the notation of BPMN and Kyonggi-ICN.

9 to 13 illustrate a workflow process modeling process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (14)

Receiving, by the electronic device, a command to add a workflow pattern block; And And adding, by the electronic device, a workflow pattern block corresponding to the additional command to a position corresponding to the additional command. The method of claim 1, The workflow pattern block A sequence block comprising a sequence pattern; An exclusive or (XOR) block including an exclusive choice pattern and a simple merge pattern; And A workflow process modeling method, which is either an AND block comprising a parallel split pattern and a synchronization pattern. The method of claim 1, And said workflow pattern block comprises an activity and a transition. The method of claim 1, The step in which the electronic device receives a workflow pattern block add command, Receiving, by the electronic device, a location where a workflow pattern block is to be added; And And receiving, by the electronic device, the type of workflow pattern block to be added. The method of claim 4, wherein The step in which the electronic device receives a workflow pattern block add command, And receiving the branch condition by the electronic device when the workflow pattern block is an exclusive or block. The method of claim 1, And converting, by the electronic device, information corresponding to the added workflow pattern block into a workflow process modeling language. The method of claim 6, The workflow process modeling language may include Extensible Markup Language Process Definition Language (XPDL), Workflow Process Definition Language (WPDL), E-business Extensible Markup Language (ebXML), Web Services Flow Language (WSFL), and Business Process Execution Language for BPEL4WS. Workflow process modeling method of one or more Web Services). The method of claim 1, The step of the electronic device receiving a workflow pattern block addition command is a workflow process modeling method according to any one or more of a graphical user interface (GUI) or a text user interface. The method of claim 1, And displaying, by the electronic device, information corresponding to the added workflow pattern block in a graphic form. The method of claim 9, The step of displaying, by the electronic device, information corresponding to the added workflow pattern block in graphic form, And displaying, by the electronic device, information corresponding to the added workflow pattern block in a graphic form of at least one of Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Information Control Net (Kyonggi-ICN). The method of claim 1, And further comprising performing a process corresponding to the added workflow pattern block. The method of claim 1, Receiving, by the electronic device, a workflow pattern block substitution command; And And replacing, by the electronic device, a first workflow pattern block at a position corresponding to the substitution command with a second workflow pattern block corresponding to the substitution input. The method of claim 1, Receiving, by the electronic device, a command for deleting a workflow pattern block; And And deleting, by the electronic device, the workflow pattern block at a location corresponding to the additional command. In the recording medium recording a program that can be read by the electronic device is implemented tangibly implemented by the electronic device to perform the workflow process modeling method, A recording medium on which a program for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 is recorded.

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