WO2007026732A1

WO2007026732A1 - System for managing business, and its method

Info

Publication number: WO2007026732A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/317046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Makoto Kano; Hisatoshi Adachi; Akio Koide
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
Priority date: 2005-09-02
Filing date: 2006-08-30
Publication date: 2007-03-08
Also published as: JPWO2007026732A1; CN101253523A

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To manage progress of business more efficiently. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Workers in a plurality of business processes generate information on a relevant process based on process information generated in other business processes and further provides to other business processes thus progressing the business which is managed by the inventive business management system. In the system, each process information is made to correspond to identification information distinguishable from other process information. This system receives a request of process information required for starting one business process from the worker of one business process, and displays the received request to other workers. Out of process information generated in respective business processes served by other workers, reply to the identification information of requested process information is received from other workers. In response to reception of a reply to the identification information of process information, information indicating dependence of one business process on the business process generating the relevant process information is generated.

Description

Specification

System and method for managing business

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system for managing business and a method thereof. In particular, the present invention

The present invention also relates to a system for generating a process flow showing a dependency relationship between a plurality of business processes constituting a business, and a method thereof.

Background art

Conventionally, it has been performed to generate a process flow of a business composed of a plurality of business processes to improve the efficiency of business progress management. For example, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing whether each business process depends on process information generated in other business processes. Fig. 1 (a) is called a design 'structure' matrix (Non-patent literature).

See 1. ) o In this figure, the horizontal axis shows the dependency source and the vertical axis shows the dependency destination. In other words, business process B depends on business process A. Business process A and business process F are interdependent. Traditionally, the organization of workers using Design Structure Matrix

Changes were made. For example, Figure 1 (b) can be obtained by rearranging the multiple work steps shown in Figure 1 (a). From Fig. 1 (b), it is easy to determine that work processes A and F depend on each other. Therefore, for example, work efficiency can be improved by organizing these processes into the same organization. Similarly, it can be readily determined that work steps B, C, D, E, and G are closely dependent. For this reason, for example, work efficiency can be improved by organizing them into the same organization.

[0003] However, when a large number of business processes have complex dependencies, such as automobile development, it is difficult for the project manager to grasp the dependencies of all business processes. For this reason, in the past, a consultant for process management was hired, and the consultant created a table describing the process information of the business process and the presence or absence of dependencies between the business processes (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). ). Specifically, the consultant I had to interview a contractor, and it took a lot of time and money to work. Furthermore, even if appropriate dependency relationships are found, in the technological fields where technological innovation is remarkable, the dependency relationships differ from product to product, and even a slight design change may result in different dependency relationships. . For this reason, in actual work, there were many cases where the schedule was formulated without clarifying the dependency relationship between the work processes.

[0004] Another reason why it is difficult to specify the dependency between business processes is that a business process is started without waiting for completion of the upstream process. Figure 2 shows a specific example of the relationship between each business process in the automobile development business. The horizontal direction in this figure indicates the direction of time progression. That is, the product planning process is started first, followed by the exterior Z interior 'styling and structural planning processes. In the example of this figure, the downstream process of a certain business process is not always started after the completion of the business process. For example, in this figure, the exterior Z interior 'styling process begins before product planning is complete. At this time, the product of the upstream process is provided to the downstream process in the middle of development.

[0005] Non-patent literature 1: Yassine, A. and Braha, D .: complex and oncurrent Engineering and the Design Structure Matrix Method, Concurrent Engineering Research & Applications, Volume 11, No. 3. Sept. 2003.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, in a large-scale business such as automobile development, if the concept of dependency on process information and the dependency relationship according to the maturity level are introduced, the dependency relationship of the entire business becomes more complicated. For this reason, it became extremely difficult to manage the entire business, and there were many cases where a schedule was formulated without clarifying the dependency relationship between the business processes. As a result, there was a problem that the progress of the project could not be visualized and the risk of additional man-hours could not be managed!

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system, a method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims are further advantageous embodiments of the present invention. An example is specified.

Means for solving the problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, each worker in a plurality of business processes obtains process information of the business processes based on process information generated in other business processes. It is a system that manages work that is generated and provided to other work processes, and each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information. A request reception unit that receives a request for process information necessary to start one business process from a process operator, a request display unit that displays the received request to other workers, and another worker Among the process information generated in each work process in charge, the response reception unit that receives the response of the requested process information identification information from other workers and the response of the process information identification information were received Possibly In addition, a system including a generation unit that generates dependency information indicating that one business process depends on a business process that generates the process information, a method for managing the business by the system, and a program are provided.

The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. A sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

The invention's effect

[0009] According to the present invention, the progress of business can be managed more efficiently than before.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed in the scope of patent requests, and the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential for the solution of the invention.

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

[0012] The business management system 40 according to the present embodiment receives a request for information necessary to start the first business process from an operator of the first business process. This business process is, for example, a process of designing automobile parts. Further, this information is, for example, design information of a part that is a premise for starting the first business process, and specifically, information such as the size and weight of a certain part of the part. As an example, in the business process of designing the frame of an automobile door, the size of the parts of the door panel is assumed. Also, depending on the business process, the accuracy of the required component size differs, so information indicating the accuracy may be obtained in association with information requests.

[0013] The business management system 40 displays the received request on the worker terminal of another worker. Then, the business management system 40 uses the identification information of the process information including the requested information among the process information generated in the respective business processes for which the other worker is responsible. I accept you. For example, in a business process for designing a part, data on the size of various parts of the part is generated as a result of the work. These data are stored in a single file or a folder containing multiple files. In this embodiment, such a file or folder is called process information. The business management system 40 accepts the path name of the file or folder as process information identification information.

[0014] Then, the business management system 40 generates dependency information indicating that the first business process depends on the second business process that generates the process information. The business management system 40 generates process flow information indicating the dependency among a plurality of business processes constituting the entire business by sequentially repeating the above processing for other business process combinations.

As described above, the business management system 40 according to the present embodiment appropriately determines the dependency between a plurality of business processes by requesting each operator and replying to it even when the administrator cannot grasp the entire business. The purpose is to make use of this information to manage the progress of business. FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the business management system 40. The business management system 40 includes an information display unit 400, a request reception unit 410, a request display unit 420, an answer reception unit 430, a flow generation unit 440, an information recording unit 450, a dependency recording unit 460, a user A recording unit 470, a notification unit 480, a process management unit 490, and a process display unit 495 are included. In response to an instruction received by a worker in a certain business process, the information display unit 400 displays a list of process information (for example, part design information and its accuracy) that has already been registered for that worker. Is displayed. Specifically, the information display unit 400 associates each piece of process information identification information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 with a list of information items included in the process information identified by the identification information. Is displayed on the screen of the worker terminal of the worker, for example, worker terminal 30-2.

[0016] The request receiving unit 410 receives a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process. The information item necessary to start one business process may be a part of a plurality of information items included in the process information. That is, for example, the request accepting unit 410 needs information items selected by the worker of the one business process among the information displayed by the information display unit 400 to start the one business process. It may be accepted as a request for information. Instead of this, the request receiving unit 410 may newly receive an information item necessary for starting the one business process. This request may be, for example, natural language text such as “I want to know the length of the A part of the door hinge”, or data according to a predetermined format in which the part name and accuracy are associated. May be. Further, the request receiving unit 410 may further receive the maturity level and desired provision date of the information item necessary for starting the one business process !, and the requesting worker of the information item You may accept further identification information to identify.

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

[0018] The answer reception unit 430 receives the response of the identification information of the requested process information among the process information generated in each business process for which the other worker is responsible. Accept. For example, the answer accepting unit 430 may accept the answer of the identification information of the process information including the requested information item by the other worker power. For example, the answer receiving unit 430 uses the identification information selected by the other worker in the displayed list of identification information as the identification information of the process information including the requested information item. You may accept from 1. Instead, the answer receiving unit 430 may receive new identification information that is not recorded in the information recording unit 450 as the identification information of the process information including the requested information item. In this case, the answer reception unit 430 further receives the identification information in association with the identification information of the business process that generates the process information. Further, the answer reception unit 430 may receive the identification information in association with the number of times required to generate the process information, or further associate with the duties of the operator of the business process that generates the process information. May be accepted.

[0019] In response to receiving the response of the identification information of the process information, the flow generation unit 440 passes the process information for which the first business process is requested to the business process for generating the process information. Dependency information indicating dependency is generated. For example, if the requested information item has already been recorded in the information recording unit 450, the flow generation unit 440 may identify the task identified by the process information identification information recorded corresponding to the information item. Dependency information may be generated that indicates that a process depends on the requested process information for the process. Further, the flow generation unit 440 may generate dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process identified by the newly received identification information. The flow generation unit 440 repeats generation of dependency information each time process information identification information is acquired.

[0020] Each of the information recording unit 450, the dependency recording unit 460, and the user recording unit 470 is an example of a recording unit according to the present invention. The information recording unit 450 is associated with each of a plurality of business processes, identification information of process information generated in the business process, and at least one information item (for example, part design) included in the process information. Information and its accuracy) It is attached and recorded. For example, the information recording unit 450 records the size of each part of the door and the accuracy information as an information item in association with the file name of the process information generated as a result of the door design process work. is doing. The requested information may be recorded in the information recording unit 450 as an information item included in the process information, and a new information item may be acquired and recorded on the condition. The condition for determining whether or not the requested information has already been recorded is determined by searching the information recording unit 450 using the keyword included in the requested information and searching for information including the keyword. May be.

[0021] The dependency recording unit 460 records process flow information indicating a dependency relationship between a plurality of business processes constituting a business by the processing of the flow generation unit 440. The user recording unit 470 records the worker identification information, the worker name, and the job of the worker in association with each other. The notification unit 480 receives a notification from one of the worker terminals 30-1 to N that the process information of a certain business process is completed. Then, the notification unit 480 detects other business processes depending on the business process in the process flow information generated by the flow generation unit 440 and recorded in the dependency recording unit 460. Then, the notification unit 480 notifies the detected person in charge of the business process that the conditions for starting the business process are satisfied. It is possible to identify the person in charge of the business process by referring to the user recording unit 470.

[0022] The process management unit 490 associates the requested information item with the maturity level and the scheduled provision date recorded in the information recording unit 450, and the maturity level and request requested by the request receiving unit 410. Based on the provision date, the business process already recorded is divided or a new business process is generated and recorded in the information recording unit 450. This processing is preferably performed after the operator terminal 30-1 to N force receives instructions from the operator. Based on various information recorded in the information recording unit 450, the dependency recording unit 460, and the user recording unit 470, the process display unit 495 displays dependency relationships and attributes of each business process on the screen of the administrator terminal 20. indicate.

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

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

[0025] An example of processing in which the flow generation unit 440 generates process flow information will be described with reference to FIG. The worker in charge of the business process with ID 1226 instructs the business management system 40 to display a list of information. The information display unit 400 displays a list of process information recorded in the information recording unit 450. This worker is requesting design information for the pillars of the door, but this design information has not yet been recorded in the information recording unit 450. For this reason, the request receiving unit 410 newly receives a request for providing design information of the door column part from the worker in charge of the business process whose ID is 1226. The request display unit 420 displays this request to other workers. Further, the request display unit 420 displays a list of identification information of process information already recorded in the information recording unit 450 for the other worker.

[0026] As a result of comparing the list of identification information of process information with the request for design information, the other worker has determined that the design information for the door column is included in the DT25-31.DAT file. To do. Then, the other worker inputs DT25-31.DAT to the business management system 40 as identification information of the process information including the requested design information. That is, the answer receiving unit 430 receives DT25 31. DAT as the identification information of the process information including the requested design information. [0027] In response to receiving the identification information response, the flow generation unit 440 indicates that the business process with ID 1226 depends on the business process that generates this process information (that is, the business process with ID 1225). Generate dependency information. In addition, the information recording unit 450 newly records an item indicating design information of the door pillar portion in association with the business process whose ID is 1225. When the answer receiving unit 430 further receives the maturity level, the information recording unit 450 may further record the maturity level in association with the design information item.

[0028] As described above, the information recording unit 450 records in advance identification information for identifying process information of each business process in association with information items included in the process information. Further, the information recording unit 450 can additionally record information items included in each business process by obtaining from the answer receiving unit 430. As a result, it is possible to accumulate and record process information sequentially according to the acquisition of the worker, and to display a list of more process information for the worker who requests information items after that. Convenience can be improved.

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

[0030] Further, the dependency recording unit 460 records the requested information item in association with the business process in response to the request reception unit 410 receiving a request for the information item for the business process. May be. For example, this figure shows that door hinge design information was requested for the upstream process with ID 1225. This figure is an example, and the dependency recording unit 460 may record the process flow information using another data structure. For example, the dependency recording unit 460 may record the ID of the downstream process that is the business process of the providing destination that provides process information from the business process in association with the ID of each business process. Further, the dependency recording unit 460 may record the IDs of the downstream process and the upstream process of the business process in association with the ID of each business process! /. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data structure of the user recording unit 470. The user recording unit 470 associates each worker's identification information (ID) with the name of the worker, the job of the worker, and the identification information (ID of the work process for which the worker is responsible). ) Is recorded. Such information may be recorded in advance or may be updated by an operator's input. For example, in response to the response receiving unit 430 receiving the job of the worker who is responsible for generating the process information in association with the ID of the process information, the user recording unit 470 responds to the ID of the worker. In addition, the job may be recorded.

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

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

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

Furthermore, in the example of this figure, the process display unit 495 displays dependency information indicating the dependence of the business process 1226 on the business process 1225. For example, the process information for business process 1225 (DT25-31.DAT) includes door panel design information, door hinges, and door pillars. Design information for the door column is necessary to start the business process 1226. Therefore, the process display unit 495 displays a directed edge from the “door pillar portion”, which is design information, toward the symbol indicating the business process 1226.

[0036] As described above, the process flow information generated by the flow generation unit 440 is displayed as an intuitive symbol by the process display unit 495, and can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for business managers and workers. it can. This allows managers and workers to properly understand the dependency relationships between work processes, and to help them understand the overall work and improve work efficiency.

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

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

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

[0040] Process management, provided that the requested information item has already been recorded (S920: YES) The part 490 performs a process of dividing the business process or a process of adding a new business process based on the desired provision date when the information item is required and the maturity of the information item (S930). This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. On the other hand, on condition that the requested information item has not been recorded in the information recording unit 450 (S920: NO), the request display unit 420 displays the received request to other workers ( S935). Further, the request display unit 420 may display a list of process information that is already recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the received request (S940).

[0041] The answer reception unit 430 receives the response of the identification information of the process information including the requested information item among the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker. (S950). For example, the answer reception unit 430 uses the identification information selected by the other worker in the displayed identification information list as the identification information of the process information including the requested information item. — May be accepted from 1. In addition, on the condition that the requested information item is not recorded in the information recording unit 450, the information recording unit 450 newly records the information item in association with the identification information of the accepted process information. Anyway!

[0042] The flow generation unit 440 generates dependency information indicating dependency between business processes in response to completion of a process for dividing a work process or in response to reception of an answer to identification information of process information. To do. The flow generation unit 440 repeatedly generates dependency information each time process information identification information is acquired. This makes it possible to generate process flow information indicating the dependency among a plurality of business processes.

FIG. 10 shows details of the processing in S930 of FIG. The process management unit 490 determines whether the scheduled provision date recorded in the information recording unit 450 in association with the requested information item satisfies the desired provision date accepted by the request acceptance unit 410. (S1000). If the scheduled provision date is earlier than the desired provision date, the process management unit 490 may determine that the desired provision date is satisfied. On condition that the desired provision date is satisfied (S1000: YES), the process management unit 490 associates the requested maturity information with the maturity level recorded in the information recording unit 450 (hereinafter, default maturity level). Is determined to meet the maturity level accepted by the request accepting unit 410 (hereinafter referred to as the request maturity level). (S1040). For example, on condition that the predetermined maturity level is higher than the required maturity level, the process management unit 490 determines that the required maturity level is satisfied.

[0044] On condition that the required maturity level is not satisfied (S1040: NO), the process management unit 490 sets another business process that satisfies the required maturity level and records it in the information recording unit 450 (S1050). . Preferably, the process management unit 490 displays an inquiry message on the administrator terminal 20 or the like as to whether or not it is possible to set a business process that satisfies this required maturity level, and an instruction to set it is managed. The business process may be set on the condition that the user or the like has input.

On the other hand, on condition that the desired provision date is not satisfied (S 1000: NO), the process management unit 490 determines whether or not the predetermined maturity satisfies the required maturity (S 1010). If the condition is not satisfied (S1010: NO), the process management unit 490 displays on the screen of the worker terminal 30-1 etc. that the request should be re-entered after changing the delivery date or maturity, and requests it. Is reacquired (S1020). On the other hand, on condition that the required maturity level is satisfied (S1010: YES), the process management unit 490 divides the business process corresponding to the requested information item into a plurality of business processes and records them in the information recording unit 450. (S1030). One of the divided business processes is a process for generating the requested information item according to the required maturity level. The other business process divided is the process of raising the requested information item to its original maturity.

[0046] Preferably, the process management unit 490 displays an inquiry message as to whether or not the work process may be divided on the worker terminal 30-1, etc. You may divide the business process on the condition that it is input from such as. According to this division, the information item requested in the downstream process can be provided to the downstream process earlier than before, and the entire business can be efficiently performed.

As described above, according to the process shown in this figure, the newly requested requested provision date or maturity level is not satisfied in the already recorded business process! / By setting up a new business process, the requester and responder can be appropriately intervened.

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

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

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

[0050] The input / output controller 1084 is connected to the BIOS 1010 and relatively low-speed input / output devices such as the flexible disk drive 1050 and the input / output chip 1070. The BIOS 1010 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1000 when the information processing apparatus 500 is started, a program depending on the hardware of the information processing apparatus 500, and the like. The flexible disk drive 1050 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 1090 and provides it to the RAM 1020 or the hard disk drive 1040 via the input / output chip 1070. The input / output chip 1070 connects various input / output devices via a flexible disk 1090 and, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like. [0051] The program provided to the information processing apparatus 500 is stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 1090, the CD-ROM 1095, or an IC card and provided by the user. The program is read out from the recording medium force via the input / output chip 1070 and / or the input / output controller 1084, installed in the information processing apparatus 500, and executed. The operations that the program causes the information processing apparatus 500 to perform are the same as the operations in the business management system 40 described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] The programs described above may be stored in an external storage medium. As the storage medium, in addition to the flexible disk 1090 and CD-ROM1095, optical recording media such as DVD and PD, magneto-optical recording media such as MD, tape media, semiconductor memory such as IC cards, and the like can be used. . In addition, a storage device such as a node disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium, and the program may be provided to the information processing device 500 via the network.

[0053] As described above, according to the business management system 40 according to the present embodiment, the administrator can grasp the dependency relationship of the entire business, and even in this case, based on the information request and the response to the request. Thus, dependency information between business processes can be appropriately generated. In addition, when an upstream process worker is requested to receive information from a downstream process worker, it is necessary to efficiently provide that information rather than replying to a presumed business process. It is also possible to set a new business process and answer it. In this case, the worker in the upstream process can proceed with work so that the work in the downstream process can be carried out efficiently. In this way, if the process flow information is generated in an interactive form of requesting information and responding to it, the opportunity to improve the efficiency of the entire work can be increased. In addition, if the required information maturity level or delivery date is not met, the existing work processes can be automatically divided to reduce the burden on workers and managers.

Thereby, the following service is realized. First, the person in charge of service investigation investigates the dependency between business processes. The person in charge investigates what information items each process information includes. Next, the person in charge stores the dependency information found by the investigation in the dependency recording unit 460 of the business management system 40 in advance. In addition, the person in charge associates the information item found by the investigation with the process information including the information item in advance to manage the business operation. The information is recorded in the information recording unit 450 of the stem 40. Next, each worker generates process flow information using the business management system 40 in which the functions of the present embodiment are implemented. The service provider then modifies at least some of the implemented functions as the car changes. This makes it possible to efficiently create new process flow information with reference to the process flow information of the previous model, even when models are changed one after another. Can help.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described using the embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. It is obvious that the description of the scope of the claims can include a form added with such changes or improvements within the technical scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0056] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing whether each business process depends on process information generated in another business process.

[Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a specific example of the relationship between each work process in the automobile development work.

FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the information processing system 10.

FIG. 4 shows the functional configuration of the business management system 40.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the information recording unit 450.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the dependency recording unit 460.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data structure of user recording unit 470.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a dependency relationship between business processes.

FIG. 9 shows an example of processing in which the business management system 40 creates process flow information.

FIG. 10 shows details of the process in S930 of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 500 that functions as the business management system 40.

Explanation of symbols

[0057] 10 Information processing system Administrator terminal Worker terminal Business management system Information display section Request reception section Request display section Response reception section Flow generation section Information recording section Dependency recording section User recording section Notification section Process management section Process display section Information processing device

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Each worker in multiple business processes generates process information for the business process based on process information generated in another business process and provides it to other business processes. A system for managing work to be progressed,

Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information, and a request for accepting a request for process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process A reception department;

A request display unit for displaying the received request to other workers;

An answer receiving unit that accepts an answer to the identification information of the requested process information among the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker; ,

A generation unit that generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process that generates the process information in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information.

A system comprising:

[2] The process information includes a single or a plurality of information items,

The request reception unit receives a request for an information item necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process,

The request display unit displays the requested information item to another worker, and the answer reception unit includes the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a response of identification information of process information including the requested information item is received from the other worker.

[3] The system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates process flow information indicating a dependency relationship between the plurality of business processes.

[4] The process information includes a plurality of information items,

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the information item necessary for starting the one business process is a part of the plurality of information items.

[5] In response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information, the generation unit 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein dependency information is generated that indicates that the one operation process depends on the requested information item to the operation process for generating the operation information.

[6] Each process information is recorded in association with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information, and each process information is recorded in association with one or a plurality of information items included in the process information. And further comprising a recording unit,

The request display unit displays the list of identification information of the process information already recorded in the recording unit in a selectable manner in association with the requested information item to the other worker. ,

The answer receiving unit receives the identification information selected by the other worker from the displayed list of identification information as identification information of the process information including the requested information item;

The generation unit generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process corresponding to the identification information in the recording unit in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information. Do

The system of claim 2.

[7] In response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information, the generation unit receives the first information via the information item requested by the business process corresponding to the identification information in the recording unit. Generate dependency information indicating that the business process depends,

The system according to claim 6.

[8] The answer reception unit includes the requested information item, the identification information of the process information selected by the other worker in the displayed list of identification information, and the requested process information. As identification information,

The recording unit newly creates an information item corresponding to the identification information of the received process information on condition that the requested information item is not recorded as the information item included in the process information. Record,

In response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information, the generation unit determines that the one business process depends on the business process corresponding to the received identification information in the recording unit. Generate dependency information to indicate, The system according to claim 6.

[9] The information of the process information identified by the identification information is associated with each identification information of the process information already recorded in the recording unit for the worker of the one business process. It further includes an information display section that displays the list in a selectable manner.

The request accepting unit accepts an information item selected by an operator of the one business process among the information displayed by the information display unit as a request for information necessary for starting the one business process. ,

The generating unit generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process identified by the identification information recorded corresponding to the requested information item.

The system according to claim 6.

[10] The answer reception unit uses, as identification information of the process information including the requested information item, new identification information not recorded in the recording unit as identification information of a business process that generates the process information. Accept in correspondence,

The generation unit generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process identified by the identification information of the accepted business process;

The system according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit records the identification information of the accepted process information and the identification information of the accepted business process in association with the requested information item.

[11] The answer reception unit receives the identification information to be newly recorded in association with the man-hour required for generating the process information identified by the identification information,

The recording unit records the man-hours received in association with the identification information in association with the received identification information.

The system according to claim 10.

[12] The answer reception unit receives the identification information to be newly recorded in association with the duties of the worker of the business process that generates the process information identified by the identification information, and the recording unit is In addition to the identification information, the job received in association with the identification information is recorded. The system according to claim 10.

[13] The recording unit is associated with each of the plurality of business processes, and further includes a maturity level of each information item included in the process information generated in the business process, and the business process key. The scheduled date of provision of process information for other business processes is recorded, and the request accepting unit determines the maturity level and desired provision date of the information items necessary for starting the one business process. Is further accepted as the request,

The maturity level recorded in association with the requested information item satisfies the accepted maturity level, and the scheduled provision date recorded in association with the requested information item is A process management unit that divides a business process corresponding to the requested information item into a plurality of business processes and records in the recording unit on condition that the received desired provision date is not satisfied. 6. The system according to 6.

[14] The recording unit is associated with each of the plurality of business processes, and further includes a maturity level of each information item included in the process information generated in the business process, and the business process key. The scheduled date of provision of process information for other business processes is recorded, and the request accepting unit determines the maturity level and desired provision date of the information items necessary for starting the one business process. Is further accepted as the request,

The requested provision date is recorded in association with the requested information item, and the requested provision date satisfies the received desired provision date, and is recorded in association with the requested information item. On the condition that the maturity level does not satisfy the accepted maturity level, a process management unit that sets another business process that satisfies the accepted maturity level and records it in the recording unit

The system of claim 6, further comprising:

[15] In the process flow information generated by the generation unit, on the condition that the process information of one business process is completed, the worker of another business process that depends on the one business process is It is further provided with a notification unit that notifies that the conditions for starting another business process have been satisfied.

The system according to claim 3.

[16] The business process is a process of designing automobile parts, The process information is design information of the part.

The system of claim 1.

[17] Each worker in multiple business processes generates process information for the business process based on process information generated in another business process and provides it to other business processes. A management method for managing work to be progressed,

Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information, and receives a request for process information necessary for starting the one business process from an operator of the one business process When,

Displaying the accepted request to other workers;

A step of accepting an answer to the identification information of the requested process information among the process information generated in each business process in charge of the other worker; In response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information, generating dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process generating the process information;

A management method comprising:

[18] Each worker in multiple business processes generates process information for the business process based on process information generated in another business process and provides it to other business processes. It is a system that manages work to be progressed,

Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information.

A function of accepting a request for the process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;

A function of displaying the requested process information to other workers;

A function of accepting an answer to the identification information of the requested process information among the process information generated in each business process in charge of the other worker; A function for generating dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on the business process for generating the process information in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information; A method comprising the steps of implementing:

[19] Prior to the implementation step,

Investigating dependencies between business processes;

The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: storing in the system in advance the dependency information found by the investigation.

[20] The process information includes a single or a plurality of information items,

Prior to the implementing step,

Each process information includes V, a step of investigating whether or not information items are included,

Associating the information item found by the investigation with the process information including the information item in advance in the system;

The method of claim 18 comprising:

[21] The business process is a process of designing automobile parts,

The process information is design information of the part,

After the implementing step,

19. The method of claim 18, comprising modifying at least a portion of the implemented function in response to a model change of the vehicle.

[22] Each worker in multiple business processes generates process information for the business process based on process information generated in another business process and provides it to other business processes. As a system that manages work to be progressed, it is a program that causes an information processing device to function. Each process information is associated with identification information that can be distinguished from other process information.

The information processing apparatus;

A request receiving unit that receives a request for the process information necessary to start the one business process from an operator of the one business process;

A request display unit for displaying the received request to other workers;

An answer receiving unit that accepts an answer to the identification information of the requested process information among the process information generated in each work process in charge of the other worker; , A generation unit that generates dependency information indicating that the one business process depends on a business process that generates the process information in response to receiving an answer to the identification information of the process information.

Program to make it work.