JPH10340300A - Work flow management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the efficiency of information processing operation, by performing a specified process in its processing turn not by the operator of a terminal device, but by allowing a program executing means to execute a program stored in a program storage means. SOLUTION: An agent processing part 10 performs a specified process, e.g. a routine operation process, which requires neither a sanction nor an approval by a processing person, such as a receiving, an unsealing process, a comment input, an electronic document processing, and a transmitting process among processes of information processing operation automatically not through manual operation by the processing person. Here, an agent control means 10C is a function actualized by a combination of a specific program stored on at least one terminal device, a CPU, which executes it, etc. In the processing turn of the routine operation process, a program executing means 10b is allowed to execute the program stored in a program storage means 10a, and then the routine operation process is automatically carried out without any manual operation by processing person.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a client / server system in which a plurality of terminal devices (for example, personal computers and workstations) having an information processing function are connected to each other by a communication line or the like.
The present invention relates to a workflow management apparatus that operates on an information processing operation including a plurality of processes, such as an office operation, for each process in order. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a workflow management device,
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a flow definition unit 1, a flow management unit 2, a route search unit 3, a user management unit 4, a package transmission and reception unit 5, a history management unit 6, a workflow control unit 7, And a workflow operation unit 8. The flow management unit 2, the user management unit 4, and the history management unit 6 are provided in a server on the system.
The other units are provided in the client on the system. However, these units may be provided in at least one of the terminal devices (server or client) on the system.

[0005] Here, the functions of these units will be described. The flow definition unit 1 is for defining, in advance, flow information of a processing order of an information processing task including a plurality of processes and a processor (operator of a terminal device) that processes each process. The flow management unit 2 stores the flow information defined by the flow definition unit 1. The route search unit 3 searches for a transmission destination or a reply destination of a processing result of a certain process based on the flow information stored in the flow management unit 2. The user management unit 4 manages a processor of each process defined in the flow information and identification information (for example, an e-mail address) of the processor as user information. The package transmission / reception unit 5 transmits and receives a package 20 storing a comment 20a and an electronic document 20b, which are processing results of each process (processing results using word processing software, spreadsheet software, or the like). The history management unit 6 manages the processing end date and time of each process as a processing history. The workflow control unit 7 controls the processing of the entire workflow management device. In other words, the workflow control unit 7 has a function of performing delivery and delivery of the package 20 between each process and controlling the workflow, that is, workflow control. Workflow operation unit 8
Performs registration and approval of the electronic document 20b, input of a comment 20a, and the like.

[0006] In the workflow management apparatus configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, according to predefined flow information, a package 20 which is a processing result of each process is processed by processors A, B, C,. Circulated to each processor A, B,
The information processing task including a plurality of steps is processed by sequentially processing C..

[0005] This will be described with reference to a specific example. For example, if a certain processor (START processor) requests processing of an information processing job using a terminal device on the system (step 401, hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S). ), The workflow management device allows the processor A to approve the processing request by the START processor on the terminal device according to the predefined flow information (S402). Next, after having the processor B perform routine work such as receiving the contents and registering it in a work database (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) (S403),
It is determined whether the requested business budget is less than a predetermined amount (for example, 100,000 yen) (S404), and if it is more than the predetermined amount, the processor C requests a decision on the terminal device (S40).
5). If there is no problem in the contents, each processor A,
The information processing task including a plurality of steps by B and C ends (S406).

As described above, the use of this workflow management apparatus makes it possible to easily digitize office work, for example, in which a paper document is circulated and approved by a seal. The processing by each of the processors A, B, C,... As described above is realized by using a well-known technique such as log-in using a personal identification number or the like at each terminal device or transmission and reception of an electronic mail.

[0007]

By the way, in the conventional workflow management apparatus, the business transfer speed among the processors A, B, C... Can be increased.
.. Does not differ from the conventional business at all, only the paper document is replaced with the electronic document. Therefore, there is a possibility that processing stagnation by the processors A, B, C. When such processing stagnation occurs, the time required from the start to the end of the information processing operation (Turn Around Time;
TAT) (abbreviated as TAT), which results in a reduction in the efficiency of information processing operations.

In a conventional workflow management device,
The history management unit 6 manages the processing history, but since it only manages the processing end date and time at the end of the processing of each process, each processor A, B, C. The process end date and time cannot be known in advance. In other words, it is not clear to each processor A, B, C... At what point in time the processing of each process should be started. For example, it is possible to start the processing but not notice it. This is one of the factors that cause processing stagnation.

Therefore, the present invention provides a workflow management apparatus that allows each processor to process an information processing task consisting of a plurality of processes for each process without causing a processing stagnation by each processor and improving the efficiency of the information processing task. It is an object of the present invention to provide a workflow management device that enables improvement.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to achieve the above object, and a workflow management apparatus according to claim 1 is connected to a terminal device having an information processing function, and is connected to a plurality of terminals. A program configured to cause an operator of the terminal device to sequentially process an information processing task including a process in the terminal device for each process, and to execute a predetermined process of the plurality of processes. And a program executing means for executing a program stored in the program storing means. When the processing order of the predetermined steps is reached, the predetermined step is performed by an operator of the terminal device. Rather, agent control means for processing by causing the program execution means to execute the program stored in the program storage means is provided. It is characterized in that the.

In the workflow management apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the agent control means causes the program execution means to execute the program in the program storage means when the processing order of a predetermined one of the plurality of steps is reached. At this time, the program storage means stores a program for performing a predetermined process. Therefore, by the execution of the program in the program storage unit by the program execution unit, the predetermined process is automatically processed without the operator of the terminal device performing the process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the workflow management device is connected to a terminal device having an information processing function, and performs an information processing operation including a plurality of steps by the terminal device for each process. A history management unit for storing and storing information regarding the end of each of the plurality of processes as a processing history, and when there is a processing request for the information processing task, the history management unit stores the information. End time prediction means for predicting the end time of each of the plurality of processes based on the processing history, and processing of each process predicted by the end time prediction means at the time of a request for processing of the information processing task A prediction result notifying unit is provided for notifying an operator who processes the next process of each process of the end time.

[0013] In the workflow management apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when there is a processing request for an information processing task, the end time prediction means attempts to perform processing based on the processing history stored in the history management means. Predict when the processing of each step of the information processing task is completed. And the prediction result notifying means,
The processing end time predicted by the end time prediction means is notified to an operator who processes the next step. The notification of the prediction result notifying means makes it clear to the operator of each process when to start the process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workflow management apparatus which is connected to a terminal device having an information processing function, and performs an information processing operation including a plurality of processes by the terminal device for each process. A program storing means for storing in advance a program for processing a predetermined step of the plurality of steps; and a program executing means for executing the program stored in the program storing means. Agent control means for processing the predetermined steps by causing the program execution means to execute a program stored in the program storage means, instead of the operator of the terminal device, when the processing order of the predetermined steps is reached; And history management means for storing and storing information regarding the end of each of the plurality of processes as a processing history When there is a processing request for the information processing task, based on a processing history stored in the history management means, an end time prediction means for predicting a processing end time of each of the plurality of processes; And a prediction result notifying unit for notifying the operator who processes the next process of each process of the end of the process of each process predicted by the end time predicting unit at the time when the process request is issued. It is characterized by the following.

In the workflow management device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the agent control means causes the program execution means to execute the program in the program storage means when the processing order of a predetermined one of the plurality of steps is reached. At this time, the program storage means stores a program for performing a predetermined process. Therefore, by the execution of the program in the program storage unit by the program execution unit, the predetermined process is automatically processed without the operator of the terminal device performing the process. Further, in this workflow management device, when there is a processing request for the information processing task, the end time prediction means performs processing of each process of the information processing task to be processed based on the processing history stored in the history management means. Predict when to end. Then, the prediction result notifying unit notifies the operator who processes the next process of the end time of each process predicted by the end time prediction unit. By the notification of the prediction result notifying means, it becomes clear to the operator of each process at what point in time the processing can be started.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A workflow management device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] Here, a first embodiment will be described.
A workflow management device according to the described invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the workflow management device according to the present embodiment. However, the same components as those of the conventional workflow management device (see FIG. 5) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The workflow management device according to the present embodiment comprises:
As shown in FIG. 1, an agent processing unit 10 is provided in addition to a conventional workflow management device. The agent processing unit 10 performs processing of a predetermined step among a plurality of steps of the information processing operation, for example, reception, opening,
Comment input, electronic document content processing, transmission, etc.
This is for automatically performing a routine business process that does not require the approval or approval of the processor without relying on the manual operation of the processor. Therefore, in the agent processing unit 10,
It has functions as a program storage unit 10a, a program execution unit 10b, and an agent control unit 10c in the present invention.

The program storage means 10a is a function provided in at least one terminal device in the system, and stores programs required for processing of routine business processes in advance. The program executing means 10b is a function provided in a terminal device on the system similarly to the program storing means 10a.
a executes the program stored therein.

The agent control means 10c includes a predetermined program (agent program) stored in at least one terminal device (for example, a server) on the system,
This is a function realized by a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like that executes this. When the processing order of the routine business process is reached, the program stored in the program storage unit 10a is executed by the program execution unit 10b. The routine work process is automatically processed without manual processing by a processor.

Here, the outline of the operation when the agent processing unit 10 processes the routine business process will be described with reference to FIG. However, here, each processor A,
A case will be described as an example in which, among the processes performed by B, C,.

When the processor A completes the processing of the process in charge after receiving the processing request for the information processing task, the workflow control section 7 sends the package 20 created by the processor A to the agent processing section 10. Send. This transmission is performed by the package transmission / reception unit 5.

Upon receiving the package 20 from the processor A, the agent processing section 10 opens the package 20 (S101). When the package 20 is opened, the agent processing unit 10 then sets the package 20
The content of the comment 20a stored in the file is read (S10
2) Then, the electronic document 20b stored in the package 20 is opened (S103). And comment 2
Then, the routine business process is performed on the contents of the electronic document 20a and the electronic document 20b (S104). As an example of this processing, the contents of the comment 20a or the electronic document 20b are registered in the business DB, the contents are compared with the budget DB, or the comment 20a or the electronic document 20b is
Or converting the data format.

As a result of the processing in the routine business process, if there is no problem in the contents (for example, omission of entry of the electronic document 20b or over budget), the agent processing unit 10
The result is approved and transmitted as a new package 20 to the next processor C (S105). However, if there is a problem in the contents, the result is rejected and the package 20 with the comment to that effect is returned to the previous processor A. In this manner, the agent processing unit 10 performs the routine business process in a fully automatic manner.

Next, a specific example of the routine business process performed by the agent processing unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, prior to performing an information processing operation, the flow definition unit 1 defines the circulation order and decision branch of the operation, that is, the flow information of the information processing operation. When the flow information is defined, the flow definition unit 1 stores the flow information in the flow management unit 2 (S201).

Thereafter, the workflow operation unit 8 performs a workflow path designation, registration of an electronic document, comment input, transmission operation, and the like (S202), and when the processing by the processor A is completed, the workflow control unit 7
Transfers the control to the route search unit 3 (S203), and the processor A
Then, the next processor B is searched (S204). At this time, since the processor B is described as "Agent A" in the flow management unit 2, the route search unit 3 subsequently searches the information of "Agent A" in the user management unit 4 (S20).
5). Then, the package transmission / reception unit 5 stores the history information (approval date and time) in the history management unit 6 to leave the operation history processed by the processor A (S206), and transmits the package 20 which is the processing result of the processor A to the agent. The data is transmitted to the processing unit 10 (S207).

The agent processing unit 10 monitors at regular intervals whether a package 20 has been received from the package transmitting / receiving unit 5 (S208). When the package 20 is received, the agent processing unit 10 processes the process name (program A) of the processor B of the flow management unit 2 described in the received package 20 and “agent A” of the user management unit 4. , And the “agent A” in the agent processing unit 10 distributes control to “computer A” on the system (S209).

The "computer A" executes the designated "program A" and returns the execution result to the agent processing unit 10 (S210). That is, the “computer A” has a function as a program storage unit 10a that stores the “program A” in advance and a function as a program execution unit 10b that executes the “program A”.

In this way, the "working agent B" can automatically perform the routine business process that the processor B should perform, thereby continuing the following workflow. That is, “Agent A” is replaced by “Program A”
Function as agent control means 10c that causes “computer A” to execute

The agent processing unit 10 returns the workflow control to the next processor if the execution result is normal, and returns to the previous processor if the execution result is error, based on the execution result by the "computer A" ( S211). The workflow control unit 7 continues the workflow after the completion of the processing by the agent processing unit 10.

As described above, according to the workflow management device of the present embodiment, when the processing order of a predetermined process among a plurality of processes is reached, the agent control means 10c executes the program stored in the program storage means 10a. , The program execution means 10b.
As a result, the predetermined process is automatically performed without requiring manual processing.

Therefore, by using the workflow management apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, even in the case of the business process (opening an electronic document and processing the contents) which is performed manually by the processor B, programming is performed in advance. As a result, the agent processing unit 10 performs processing automatically,
Since the subsequent flow is continued, there is no possibility that processing stagnation will occur in the process performed by the agent processing unit 10. In other words, it is possible to prevent the TAT of the entire information processing task processed by the workflow management device from becoming longer, and to prevent the processing efficiency of the information processing task from decreasing.

In the first embodiment, the agent processing unit 10 performs processing (reception of a workflow, opening, comment input, opening of an electronic document, registration in a budget DB, etc.) performed by the processor B as a proxy. Although the case of fully automatic processing has been described as one example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an agent (eg, an agent that realizes functions such as starting a dedicated application, starting a different information processing task, processing data of an electronic document, and registering data in a dedicated DB, etc.) prepared in advance with various procedures is prepared in advance. In addition, it is conceivable to further shorten the TAT of the entire information processing operation by unmanning routine operations that do not require the approval or approval of the processor.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a workflow management apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described. However, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the workflow management device according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a notification agent unit 11 is used instead of the agent processing unit 10 according to the first embodiment.
Is provided. Upon receiving a processing request for an information processing task, the notification agent unit 11 statistically analyzes a past workflow operation history (such as a processing time TAT) based on the processing history stored and accumulated by the history management unit 6, .. To notify each of the processors A, B, C,... In advance, for example, how many days later the package 20 will arrive when a processing request for the information processing operation is issued. That is, the notification agent unit 11 has a function as an end prediction unit and a prediction result notification unit in the present invention. These means are realized by a combination of a predetermined program and a CPU for executing the program. It is also assumed that the history management unit 6 has stored and accumulated a past workflow operation history as a processing history. That is, the history management unit 6 functions as history management means in the present invention.

Here, a specific example of the advance notification processing by the notification agent unit 11 will be described. First, when a workflow is drafted (started) by a START processor of an information processing task, the workflow control unit 7 transfers control to the route search unit 3 (S301), and refers to flow information in the flow management unit 2 (S301). (S302), and further refers to the user management unit 4 in order to ascertain the processors A, B, C,... Of each process of the information processing operation (S303).

At this time, the notification agent unit 11 extracts a past operation history from the history management unit 6 (S30).
4) Analyze the processing time TAT statistically and predict how many days later the package 20 will reach each processor A, B, C. Then, the prediction result is given to each processor A,
.. Are notified in advance to B, C... When there is a processing request for the information processing business (S305 to S307). For example, from the result of statistically analyzing the processing time TAT, the processing date and time interval between the processor A and the processor B is one day, and the processing date and time interval between the processor B and the processor C is two days. In some cases, the notification agent unit 11 transmits an advance notification to the processor C that the package 20 will arrive three days later (S307).

As described above, the notification agent unit 11
Performs pre-notification processing for each processor A, B, C,... Of the entire workflow (including different workflow tasks).

As described above, according to the workflow management device of the present embodiment, when there is a processing request for an information processing task, the notification agent unit 11 predicts the end time of each process to be processed and , Its prediction results,
.. Which process the next process are notified. Thereby, processor A of each process,
For B, C, etc., it is clear at what point in time the processing should be started.

Therefore, if the workflow management apparatus of the present embodiment is used, the processors A, B, C
.. Can be notified in advance of the arrival of the work, and it is possible to eliminate factors of the occurrence of processing stagnation, such as the fact that the processing can be started but not noticed. Also, for example, even if a certain processor stays in the process, it becomes possible for the processor in the subsequent process to follow up from the content notified in advance, so that the possibility of the process staying is reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the TAT of the entire information processing task processed by the workflow management device from becoming long, and to prevent the processing efficiency of the information processing task from decreasing.

In the second embodiment, the notification agent unit 11 performs the advance notification processing on each of the processors A, B, and C.
Has been described as one example, but for example, a personal schedule management DB and a project management D
By interfacing with B, it may be used for progress management between projects and departments.

In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the agent processing unit 10 automatically processes a predetermined process (routine business process) is described. In the second embodiment, the notification agent unit 11 performs each process. Each of the users A, B, C,... Is notified in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the workflow management apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the agent processing unit 10 has a function of automatically processing a routine business process;
Even if the notification agent unit 11 also has a function of performing a prior notification process to each processor, it can be realized.
In this case, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the information processing operation without causing a processing stagnation by the processor.

[0043]

As described above, the workflow management device according to the present invention performs a predetermined process among a plurality of processes.
Prevents the terminal device operator from stagnating by automatically executing it without the manual operation of the terminal device operator, or by notifying in advance by predicting the process end time of multiple processes As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of an information processing operation including a plurality of steps.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a workflow management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an example of an operation when an agent processing unit in the workflow management device according to the first embodiment processes a routine work process;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of advance notification processing by a notification agent unit by an agent processing unit of the workflow management device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a prior notification process in a second embodiment of the workflow management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a conventional workflow management device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in a conventional workflow management device.

[Description of Signs] 6 History management unit 10 Agent processing unit 10a Program storage unit 10b Program execution unit 10c Agent control unit 11 Notification agent unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A workflow configured to be connected to a terminal device having an information processing function and to cause an operator of the terminal device to sequentially execute an information processing task including a plurality of processes at the terminal device for each process. In the management device, a program storage unit that stores a program for processing a predetermined step of the plurality of steps in advance; a program execution unit that executes a program stored in the program storage unit; When the processing order of the predetermined steps is reached, agent control means for processing the predetermined steps by causing the program execution means to execute the program stored in the program storage means instead of the operator of the terminal device. A workflow management device, which is provided. 2. A workflow management device which is connected to a terminal device having an information processing function and causes an operator of the terminal device to process an information processing task including a plurality of processes by the terminal device for each process. History management means for storing and accumulating information as to the processing history at the end of each process of the step, and when there is a processing request for the information processing task, the plurality of processing information are stored based on the processing history stored in the history management means. End time estimating means for estimating the end time of each process of the process, and when the processing request of the information processing task is received, the end time of the process predicted by the end time estimating means, A workflow management device, comprising: a prediction result notifying unit that notifies an operator who processes the next step. 3. A workflow management device which is connected to a terminal device having an information processing function and causes an operator of the terminal device to process an information processing operation including a plurality of processes by the terminal device for each process. A program storage unit that stores in advance a program for processing a predetermined step of the steps, a program execution unit that executes a program stored by the program storage unit, and a processing order of the predetermined step. An agent control unit that processes the predetermined process by causing the program execution unit to execute a program stored in the program storage unit, instead of the operator of the terminal device; and History management means for storing and accumulating information regarding the end time of the processing as a processing history; When there is, based on the processing history stored in the history management means, end time prediction means for predicting the processing end time of each of the plurality of processes, at the time of processing request of the information processing business And a prediction result notifying unit for notifying an operator who processes the next process of each step of the end of processing of each process predicted by the end time predicting unit.