Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for improvement of vertical process merging by reconstruction of equivalent models and hierarchical process merging. Embodiments of the invention include a method for identifying and resolving differences between business process models, the method including receiving a first business process model project, identifying a second business process model project, performing changes to the second business process model project, merging the first and second business process model projects, creating a delta model configured to analyze the differences between the business process model projects, wherein an analysis of the differences between the first and second business process model projects are in the form of low-level changes and auto-applying the low-level changes of the first business process model project to generate a new business process model project.

Abstract: Recommendation systems and processes for generating recommendations within the context of a socially-enabled human workflow system are provided. The processes may include accessing workflow data, such as social graphs, organization graphs, collaboration graphs, content data, utilization data, ratings data, and the like, associated with a user requesting a recommendation. The process may further include determining one or more of a user similarity score, task similarity score, goal similarity score, and content similarity score. The process may further include generating one or more recommendations based at least in part on one or more of the user similarity score, task similarity score, goal similarity score, and content similarity score.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining creation processes for products in the graphics industry, the product being described by one or more product properties. Starting out from the properties of a product, a network of creation processes (P1, P2, P4) is created, which describes the creation of the product as a function of the resources (1, 1?, 2, 2?, 3, 3?, 4, 5, 6) involved in the creation process, in that the creation processes (P1, P2, P4) upstream of a resource (1, 1?, 2, 2?, 3, 3?, 4, 5, 6) are ascertained.

Abstract: A workflow execution framework is generated to execute a received workflow. The workflow is semantically analyzed to determine workflow chain and associated workflow components. To execute the workflow chain, a terminal component in the workflow chain and a corresponding sequential hierarchy of the workflow components are detected. A result descriptor of a data source component corresponding to the terminal component is computed and stored in an execution state table. Result descriptors are computed for the workflow components succeeding the data source component in the sequential hierarchy and are stored in the execution state table. Upon detecting a dataflow between the data source component and one of the succeeding workflow components, data along each row of the execution state table is extracted to process the one of the succeeding workflow components. The workflow is executed by processing the workflow components associated with the workflow chain, thereby executing the workflow chain.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for analyzing processes. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a process query and parsing, by the processor, the process query to extract one or more key features from the process query. The method includes determining a relationship between the process query and one or more stored clusters of processes organized at least according to key features based on the parsing of the process query, where the one or more stored clusters are less than all of the stored clusters. The method also includes comparing the one or more key features of the process query with processes in the one or more stored clusters and generating a list of one or more stored processes being the most similar to the process query based on the comparing of the one or more key features of the process query with the processes in the one or more stored clusters.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for managing processes. The method includes collecting data from first processes and second processes stored in memory, the first processes differing from the second processes by at least one of a formality level and a log detail level. The method includes identifying commonalities among the first processes and second processes and organizing the first processes and second stored processes into clusters based on the commonalities.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for process model extraction and weak-spot analysis from plain event logs are described herein. In an aspect, the method involves obtaining an event log that includes events grouped by process instances. Based on analyzing the event log a process graph is generated. In another aspect, one or more visual representations of the generated process graph, indicating the weak-spots, are generated. At least one of the one or more visual representations of the process model is rendered in response to receiving a selection of the at least one visual representation. In yet another aspect, the weak-spots are transformed into a data structure and provided as input to a rule mining algorithm for generating a set of rules defining the weak-spots. The set of rules received from the rule mining algorithm are rendered on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: Technician control, in which a control system is configured to control scheduling and dispatch operations for work orders being handled by technicians. Multiple technician devices are each associated with one or more technicians, are configured to communicate, over a network, with the control system, and also are configured to provide output in response to communications that are received from the control system and that are related to the scheduling and dispatch operations performed by the control system. A set of scheduling configuration options may be pre-defined and user input weighting at least one of the scheduling configuration options relative to other of the scheduling configuration options may be received. A scheduling application used by the control system to perform scheduling operations may be configured based on configuration data that reflects the weighting and scheduling operations may be performed using the configured scheduling application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for network-based workflow enabled project management that allows trade gateways to be established between a business entity and one or more trading partners. Embodiments of the invention facilitate, through the use of computer networks-based interfaces, the stages of assessment planning and assessing the readiness of partners, implementing the trade gateways, testing the gateways and migrating the gateways to production. Embodiments of the invention provide efficient on-boarding with a participant collaboration system, a consolidated view of readiness data of participants and activation schedules. A system embodying the invention also provides real-time reports with details of participant readiness assessment, integration plans, individual process implementation schedules for complete on-boarding status, and project management functionality comprising workflow alert capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and processes for presenting event notifications to a target user based on the context of the user are disclosed. The event notification can be selectively presented to the target user based on a comparison between the event and the context of the user. If the event and the context of the user meet predefined criteria, the event notification can be presented to the target user. If the event and the context of the user do not meet the predefined criteria, the event notification may be stored for later delivery to the target user.

Abstract: A method and system for grouping events is provided in which a plurality of base groups (303) each define a set of event points. Combined groups (304) have a set of event points defined by the combination of the event points in combining groups. The combination may be by a union of groups or an exclusion of groups and may combine base groups (303) and/or combined groups (304) together. The method and system activate or deactivate groups to enable or disable the generation of events defined by the event points in a group. The generation of events may record event instances (306) of the event points for analysis, to provide an alert for an event instance of predetermined value, to trigger a further event or activity, or to publish the event instances for the event points.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment relates to a method for optimizing end-to-end response times distribution across a plurality of components in a performance engineering process. The method preferably comprises determining first, second, and third end-to-end response times for a plurality of components in the process, and determining an optimal end-to-end response time for the components in the process, wherein the optimal end-to-end response time distribution is based on an average of the first end-to-end response time, the second end-to-end response time, and the third end-to-end response time for each component. The disclosed embodiment also relates to a system and computer-readable code that can be used to implement the exemplary methods.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing dissimilarity among business components. Business processes are identified. Each business process includes a sequence of activities to be executed in a specified sequential order. Each activity in the sequence is assigned a sequence number and is associated with a single business component. For a first and second activity in each pair of different activities of the sequence of activities of each business process, a determination is made of a pair of a first and second business component to which the first and second business activity is respectively associated, a determination is made of a dissimilarity measure equal to a magnitude of a difference of the respective sequence numbers of the first and second business activities, and the dissimilarity measure is assigned to the pair of the first and second business component. A dissimilarity matrix including the dissimilarity measures is generated and stored.

Abstract: Update history information of databases is analyzed, and workflow models are automatically displayed with typical workflows and exceptional workflows separately represented. An update history information storage unit stores update history information including identification information of a data update process, and the name and updated time of an updated data set. A workflow extractor generates flow information where the names of updated data sets are arranged in chronological order of updated time, oldest first, for every data update process, and counts the number of appearances of flow information of same. Out of the workflows represented by the flow information, the workflow classification unit classifies the workflows into typical and exceptional workflows depending on the number of appearances.

Abstract: A technique for managing changes to individual entities, such as employees, in a business execution context. When a first user, such as a manager or a human resources (HR) administrator, desires to change characteristics of an individual entity, such as an employee, the first user inputs into a software application the desired characteristic changes to be made. The software application receives the input from the first user and analyzes the information. The software application then identifies and initiates a “workflow” that corresponds to the input and effects the desired changes.

Abstract: Update history information of databases is analyzed, and workflow models are automatically displayed with typical workflows and exceptional workflows separately represented. An update history information storage unit stores update history information including identification information of a data update process, and the name and updated time of an updated data set. A workflow extractor generates flow information where the names of updated data sets are arranged in chronological order of updated time, oldest first, for every data update process, and counts the number of appearances of flow information of same. Out of the workflows represented by the flow information, the workflow classification unit classifies the workflows into typical and exceptional workflows depending on the number of appearances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking assets are disclosed, where such assets' data exists in disparate and independent asset data sources within and throughout an organization. Assets' data is first assembled and processed, related between asset data sources and to particular assets, and stored in a processed format that allows reporting and monitoring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the automatic detection of different types of changes in a business process. A system includes a transformer for performing a transformation on data derived from process traces or models extracted from the processes traces to generate transformed data. The process traces are for a business process corresponding to a set of related tasks for a specified goal. Each of the models has at least a transition matrix of dimension N×N, where N is a total number of the related tasks. The system further includes a change detector for performing change detection on the transformed data to identify at least one of when a change occurs in the business process and a degree of the change.

Abstract: This document describes a computer-implemented method for facilitating a check-in finalization process for a travel passenger. The method includes receiving one or more check-in parameters related to a check-in procedure for a passenger checking in for a travel segment, and determining from the received check-in parameters a check-in workflow status corresponding to which of a plurality of steps of the check-in procedure have been completed. The method also includes identifying one or more finalization actions that are available for finalizing the check-in procedure based on the check-in workflow status. The method further includes determining a primary finalization action from the one or more finalization actions, the primary finalization action being the finalization action most likely to be taken to finalize the check-in procedure.

Abstract: An extracting apparatus includes a processor configured to calculate a first frequency of updates in a first workflow and second frequencies of updates in each of a plurality of second workflows, each of which includes activities of the first workflow and one or more activities, with regard to each of a plurality of parameters used in the first workflow and the plurality of second workflows, select a first parameter from the plurality of parameters, based on differences, relating to each of the plurality of parameters, from the first frequency to each of the second frequencies, and extract a second workflow from the plurality of second workflows, based on differences from a value of the first parameter after termination of the first workflow to each of values of the first parameter after termination of the plurality of second workflows.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for discovering workflows through analysis of user actions. Workflow descriptions are entered by multiple users over a period of time as the users perform user actions. Each workflow description includes a sequence of user action descriptions. One or more candidate workflows are determined by identifying repeated patterns among the workflow descriptions.

Abstract: A bulk-workflow server in communication with a bulk-workflow client may assist business users in completing multiple instances of a workflow task by transforming multiple instances of an individual workflow form into a single spreadsheet-like user interface with which a business user may simultaneously input, view, review/approve, and/or submit data for multiple instances of the workflow task.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for adapting a reference workflow, according to changing data-contexts, during execution are described herein. The method involves detecting an entry to an adaptive segment in the reference workflow and invoking data context variables associated with the adaptive segment. Further the method includes invoking a set of ordered adaptation rules comprising a set of constraints on the data context variables. In an aspect, the method includes evaluating the rule-set using the one or more data context variables associated with the workflow. Based on the evaluation, a list of adaptation patterns is generated and provided as input to a pattern selector. In another aspect, adaptation patterns from the list of adaptation patterns are recursively called by the pattern selector. The called adaptation patterns are then executed as sub-processes within the adaptive segment.

Abstract: A change management system may use a phased status indicator that may illustrate several phases of a change request and a current status for each phase of a change management lifecycle. Additionally, a group of change requests may be displayed in a linked manner showing various relationships between change requests. The status indicator and linked display may be used together or separately to illustrate the status of various change requests and within interactive displays of change request data.

Abstract: A business process flowchart editing apparatus manages information about a business process flowchart and risks and controls, and their relation into a business process model in a unified manner, and is provided with an editing function of editing these pieces of information and an analyzing function of inconsistency check and analysis on a change ripple, thereby increasing efficiency in documentation of internal control.

Abstract: An approach is provided for online trouble ticket servicing. As part of a workflow, one or more activities, which are associated with a trouble ticket corresponding to a service, are monitored, wherein the one or more activities are tracked by a workflow engine. Status information is repeatedly acquired for the one or more activities until a predetermined milestone is reached according to the workflow. The status information is stored for presentation to a subscriber of the service.

Abstract: A workflow management system and method that includes approval of workflow changes. A workflow management system is disclosed that includes: a mapping system for mapping tier types to workflows; a modification system for changing tier types, wherein a tier type change causes a new workflow to replace an original workflow; a workflow snapshot system for taking a snapshot of the original workflow when the tier type change occurs; and an approval system for approving tier type changes.

Abstract: Automating changes to a composite workflow using user-defined workflow policies can begin with the detection of a state change by a workflow policy handler for a record of an instance of a composite workflow running within a composite workflow system. User-defined workflow policies can be identified for the composite workflow in which the change was detected. A user-defined workflow policy can define policy actions to be performed if policy conditions are satisfied. For each identified user-defined workflow policy, the applicability to the instance of the composite workflow can be determined. If an identified user-defined workflow policy is determined to be applicable, the policy actions can be automatically performed on the instance of the composite workflow.

Abstract: Automating changes to a composite workflow using user-defined workflow policies can begin with the detection of a state change by a workflow policy handler for a record of an instance of a composite workflow running within a composite workflow system. User-defined workflow policies can be identified for the composite workflow in which the change was detected. A user-defined workflow policy can define policy actions to be performed if policy conditions are satisfied. For each identified user-defined workflow policy, the applicability to the instance of the composite workflow can be determined. If an identified user-defined workflow policy is determined to be applicable, the policy actions can be automatically performed on the instance of the composite workflow.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods to trace an execution of a business process are disclosed. Business rules and corresponding business objects required to execute the business process are identified and rendered to receive an input. Based upon detecting a trigger to execute the business process, the business rules and the corresponding business objects are processed to compute a process-resultant for the business process. A process-path of the computed process-resultant is traced by tracing key-strings corresponding to the business objects involved in computing the process-resultant, to generate a trace-resultant. The trace-resultant is parsed by determining versioned business objects and business information of the key-strings, to derive a business definition for the traced business objects involved in computing the process-resultant. Based upon the business definition, a comprehensive trace-map comprising a compilation of the process-resultant to execute the business process is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling and evaluating resource requirements of services is disclosed. The system and method in one aspect enable describing an application session in a software model, for example, as a sequence of events in a sequence diagram, annotating the sequence diagram with information and using the sequence diagram and the information to create a mathematical model such as a Markov model that represents the application session. Once in Markov form the service can be analyzed. The system may include a user interface for allowing a user to enter annotations to the sequence diagram.

Abstract: A method to revoke a task includes receiving task data, the task data including information regarding a task to be performed. The method further includes receiving delegation data, the delegation data including information identifying a delegator of the task and a delegatee to perform the task. The method further includes receiving revocation task data, with the revocation task data having as its object at least aspects of the task.

Abstract: A business method for defining, controlling, and optimizing a flow of value down a workflow pipeline includes creating a phase-gate workflow pipeline for one or more projects in which completion of one or more predetermined activities of each project advances the project to a succeeding phase in the pipeline. Each of the activities for each project in the pipeline is mapped to a value metric that is a function of a risk discount factor using an option valuation technique. The projects and/or portfolio of projects are then analyzed to determine the flow of value down the pipeline and managed based on analysis of this flow of value.

Abstract: A method of rapid workflow process modeling, which is established according to a triangulation principle. The method integrates issues of management, operation and technology including information technology that are three fundamentals of a triangulation principle to characterize challenges and opportunities for process improvement of any organization including military units, governmental agencies and public and private business sectors. Specifically, the method is comprised of seven steps such as the As-Is process mapping, problem statements, impact statements, solution statements, benefit statements, To-Be process mapping and cost benefit analysis for generating a quantitative projection of the business cost reduction. Application of the method is able to comprehensively and effectively address challenges and opportunities for all aspects of the organizational process improvement.

Abstract: A workflow scheduler is provided in which highly correlated processes are scheduled so as to be continuously executed. The workflow scheduler analyzes an input print order, divides the print order into a plurality of processes to carry out the print order, arranges a schedule of the plurality of processes divided, groups a set of processes together from the plurality of processes into which the print order is divided according to grouping attributes of the plurality of processes, the set of processes being associated with each other by the grouping attributes, outputs the plurality of processes whose schedule is arranged by the schedule arranging unit in a recognizable manner, and arranges the schedule of the plurality of processes such that the set of processes is capable of being executed continuously.

Abstract: A method of monitoring workflow performance includes selecting a workflow for a job in a production process environment, wherein the job corresponds to a job category. The method also may include accessing a knowledge base to automatically select a set of performance indicators that correspond to the job category. Process parameters corresponding to the production process are displayed, and at least a portion of the displayed process parameters include the selected performance indicators.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for managing and tracking an inventory of controlled elements, wherein a database comprising a plurality of elements is maintained, an owner is assigned to each element, the relationships between elements are identified and related elements are linked. The elements are then monitored to identify changes to the elements. Any identified change is confirmed, and if material, the owners of related elements are notified of the changes the need to be made to the related elements and the plurality of elements are monitored to determine when all required changes have been made. Once all the required changes are a made, the owners of the identified elements are required to provide final confirmation that no further changes are needed.

Abstract: A task effort estimator may determine a probability distribution of an estimated effort needed to complete unfinished tasks in a project based on one or more of a set of completed tasks belonging to a project and attributes associated with the completed tasks belonging to the project, a set of completed tasks not belonging to the project and attributes associated with the completed tasks not belonging to the project, or the combination of both. A project completion predictor may determine a probability distribution of completion time for the project based on the probability distribution of an estimated effort needed to complete the unfinished tasks in the project, and one or more resource and scheduling constraints associated with the project.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods and arrangements for processing multi-leg transactions. Embodiments of the invention process multi-leg transactions while allowing later arrived orders to get processed during the time when an earlier, tradable multi-leg transaction is pending using a look-ahead mechanism without violating any relevant timing or exchange rules.

Abstract: There is provided a system which analyzes data representative of operation situation of a work system and finds tacit problem hidden in work performed at the a field by a system user. Particularly, the system is to support to find the problem even if the user is not a specialist such as ethnographer. The system includes event examples in which the problems in the work at the field found from user analysis such as observation or interview are classified and expressed as events in operation data when a computer is utilized, analysis menu, analysis function and visualization unit for finding the events.

Abstract: A facility for providing a workflow report document for a number of instances of a business process is described. In connection with information specifying the display of an arrangement of shapes each representing a constituent action of the business process, the facility provides information specifying the display in connection with shapes of the arrangement of at least one business process measure aggregated across all of the instances of the process.

Abstract: A business process estimating method, apparatus, and program for estimating a process of a business transaction utilizing an information system. The business process estimating method includes specifying a non-operation interval for extracting an information system non-operation interval in accordance with an access log of access to the information system, thereby to specify a business process corresponding to the extracted information system non-operation interval and to specify the information system non-operation interval. The method also includes distributing a non-operation interval time period for distributing a time period of the information system non-operation interval, which has been specified in the specifying the non-operation interval as process time periods of previous and subsequent business processes respectively correlated with previous and subsequent information system non-operation intervals with respect to the information system non-operation interval.

Abstract: An information handling system comprises a connection via a network interface for receiving business process data from an integrated business process running at a location, the business process data comprises at least data indicating data volume for the integrated business process. The information handling system further comprises a storage device for storing data representing an aggregate of business process data for an integrated business process and account data for the enterprise user of the integrated business process, and a processor adapted to determine a qualitative integrated business process performance designation from the aggregate business process data and account data. If the processor determines that there is no data volume from the business process data and no saved changes to the integrated business process within a specified time period, then the processor allocates an at-risk integrated business process performance designation and prepares a case file for this integrated business process.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to allow a user to design and manage business solutions. The business solution management system (150) comprises a portal layer (112), an application layer (104) and a data repository (106). The portal layer (112) comprises at least first and second agents (204, 208). The application layer (104) comprises at least first and second software applications (220, 224). The first and second agents (204, 208) provide user interfaces to the first and second software applications (220, 224). The first software application (220) is operable to allow a user to design a business solution with user parameters and user-selectable, pre-defined business process objects and pre-defined technology objects. The second software application (224) is operable to allow a user to manage the business solution. The data repository (106) comprises the pre-defined business objects (316) and pre-defined technology objects (314).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for optimizing scheduling and resource allocation for a workflow. The method includes receiving i) resource information representing resources available for allocation to the workflow and ii) one or more workflow constraints. The method determines one or more probable sequences for executing the workflow. Each probable sequence includes tasks usable to execute at least a portion of the workflow. Each task is assigned a probability of task execution. The method assigns a probability of sequence execution to each of the probable sequences based on the probability of task execution of the tasks forming the probable sequence. The method further determines an optimized scenario for scheduling the workflow based on the probable sequences. The optimized scenario can have an optimized probability of completion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system that automates workforce management tasks through the integrated use of structured content accessible from a database, a set of business logic rules engines as well as input from users via user interfaces. The invention also provides a methodology for creating engineered content that is accessible to a strategic workforce management system which manages human resources tasks.

Abstract: This invention relates to data processing for financial, business practice, management or cost/price determination applications where there is a computerized arrangement for the management of interaction between individuals or entities that are connected by social networking and specifically to a system and method for an integrated workflow process, social, contact and web management solution.

Abstract: Healthcare providers are faced with an extremely fast paced environment where patient care is closely coupled with quality and safety standards. To promote a safe and optimal environment for patients and healthcare workers, numerous standards must be met. The number of standards continues to grow as healthcare continues to become more complex. The present invention, and the various embodiments thereof, describes a computer based system and method for strengthening a healthcare provider's quality program through the use of quality assurance, quality improvement and performance improvement modules that help to structure, monitor and manage quality tasks. A pixel mapped calendar provides a compelling graphical representation of the current status of the various quality tasks associated with a specific date or dates to provide a visual representation of the overall health of an organization as it relates to meeting quality and safety standards.

Abstract: A business information management system includes a data connection relationship information storage section storing connection relationships of data items forming a business information database, a data connection accuracy information storage section that stores data connection accuracy between data item pairs having a connection relationship, and a data change section that changes data in the business information database by inputting data thereto. A change affected data extraction section extracts change affected data items by tracing first data items having a connection relationship with an originally changed data item and second data items having a connection relationship with the first data items until there is no connection relationship, a change effect probability calculation section calculates change effect probability of the change affected data based on data connection accuracy, and a change affected data display section displays the change effect probability on a display unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system to analyze emergent properties of at least one process of handling at least one item. The method comprising at least creating a database containing all information with respect to entities related to the item from the group comprising at least completed transactions and actors. Further, the method involves a posteriori gathering from at least one source, such as at least one table in an information system, all data with respect to said entities on each of the at least one item. Yet further, the method involves assigning an identifying label to each of the at least one item, and arranging the data with respect to each entity on each of the at least one item with the label assigned thereto in the database, so as to allow distilling from the database at least one emergent property of the process, such as a sequence of previously performed transactions with respect to each of the at least one item on the basis of the label assigned thereto.