JP2010277475A - Workflow management system - Google Patents

Abstract

Whether to select a document on a document management system as a search target for timely information distribution is determined using an attribute already assigned to a task for classification purposes.
Independently of a plurality of document management systems including a document database for storing a document body and document identification information for identifying the document body and a document search unit, a constructive workflow is executed by a management server having the database. A workflow management system for managing, wherein the management server includes search condition generation means for generating a search condition for obtaining information related to a specified task, a task attribute, and the document management system from a task attribute A repository selection means for selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information in a repository selection database that stores associations of the database; and a related information search for transmitting a search request to the selected document management system And related information display means for displaying the obtained search results. That.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a workflow management system that manages a constructive workflow that can dynamically change a configuration task.

  A conventional workflow management system has to determine a workflow model before executing a workflow. However, it is difficult to formulate a prior workflow model in fields where prior information is not completely complete, such as research and development and some services. In view of this, a method called a constructive workflow has been developed that can dynamically construct a model (that can be dynamically changed) during workflow execution.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose timely information distribution that automatically retrieves information necessary for a workflow execution step and displays it without waiting for a user request in a constructive workflow. Since a constructive workflow is intended for non-standard work, presentation of related documents is very effective for smooth execution of individual tasks constituting the workflow.

  In timely information distribution, it is important to collect documents to be searched. Patent Document 1 described above describes a method for accumulating document assets by adding a document to a server while a workflow is being executed. Yes. On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a method for performing timely information distribution using a document stored in a user terminal as a search target.

  By the way, as a document that can be a target of timely information distribution described above, there is a document that is collected before the introduction of the workflow management system and is already searchable on the existing document management system. It is an important theme to be able to present such an existing document by timely information distribution on the workflow management system.

  However, there are various kinds of existing documents, and there is a problem in making them uniform for timely information distribution. That is, if a document having a low relationship is provided to a workflow execution user, the significance of timely information distribution is reduced. In addition, it is conceivable that a wasteful search may take a longer response time than expected or adversely affect other users of the document management system.

  On the other hand, documents on such a document management system are often collected and classified with a certain purpose, and the accuracy of timely information retrieval (retrieval for timely information distribution) is improved by utilizing the information. It is desirable. For example, a document management system that collects academic papers may be useful for bibliographic research, but not for business trip planning.

  In order to utilize such characteristics of the document management system, it is desirable to select whether or not to search for each combination of task and document management system. The selection can be set individually. However, if the amount of human work for the setting is large, the cost for the merit obtained by timely information distribution increases.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to select a document on a document management system independent of the workflow management system as a search target for timely information distribution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a workflow management system that can determine whether to use an attribute already assigned to a task for classification purposes.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a plurality of document databases, a document database for storing document identification information for identifying the document body and the document body, and a document retrieval unit. Independently of the document management system, a workflow management system that manages a constructive workflow by a management server having a database, the management server sets a search condition for obtaining information related to a specified task. A repository selection for selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information of a repository selection database for storing a relation between the attribute of the task and the document management system, from the search condition generation means to be generated and the attribute of the task And related information for transmitting a search request to the selected document management system And search means, a workflow management system and a related information display means for displaying a search result obtained by the subject matter.

  Also, as described in claim 2, in the workflow management system according to claim 1, the management server employs identification information for identifying a task as a task attribute, and transmits a related information search request. The document management system should be selected individually for each task.

  Also, as described in claim 3, in the workflow management system according to claim 1, the management server employs identification information for classifying a task as a task attribute, and transmits a related information search request. The document management system to be selected can be selected according to a task classification.

  Further, as described in claim 4, in the workflow management system according to claim 1, the management server adopts a task model associated with a task as an attribute of the task, and thereby the task associated with the task. The document management system to which a related information search request should be transmitted corresponding to the model can be selected.

  Further, as described in claim 5, in the workflow management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the management server selects the document management system with reference to the repository selection database. In addition to the task attributes, the task parent database and task attributes on the task instance database that stores task information including task bibliographic information and the hierarchical structure between tasks are used together. The document management system to which an information retrieval request is to be transmitted can be selected according to a task hierarchy.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a database is provided independently of a plurality of document management systems including a document database that stores a document body and document identification information that identifies the document body, and a document search unit. Control method of a workflow management system that manages a constructive workflow by a management server, and a search condition generation step for generating a search condition for obtaining information related to a specified task, and a task attribute, A repository selection step of selecting the document management system as a target of related information search based on information of a repository selection database that stores the relationship between the attribute and the document management system, and a search request to the selected document management system Related information search process to send and related information to display the obtained search results It can be configured as a workflow management method and a indicate steps.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a database independent of a plurality of document management systems including a document database storing a document body and document identification information for identifying the document body and a document search unit. A control program of a workflow management system for managing a constructive workflow by a management server, wherein the management server generates search conditions for generating search conditions for obtaining information related to a specified task, task attributes A repository selection means for selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information of a repository selection database that stores a task attribute and a relationship between the document management system and the selected document management system. Related information search means to send search requests, and the search results obtained It can be configured as a workflow management program to function as a related information display means for displaying.

  In the workflow management system of the present invention, whether or not to select a document on a document management system independent of the workflow management system as a search target for timely information distribution is given to a task for classification purposes. The attribute can be determined by using the attribute, and accurate and efficient timely information distribution can be performed without additional work.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of task instance DB and task model DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure example of repository DB and repository selection DB. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a system element. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between each task etc. and a document repository. It is a figure which shows the example of correlation with each task etc. and document repository by task classification | category etc. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process example of a task related document display. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a repository selection. It is a figure which shows the specific example of task instance DB and task model DB. It is a figure which shows the specific example of repository DB and repository selection DB.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a workflow management system 1 operates on a user interface 2 such as a Web browser that operates on a PC (Personal Computer) operated by a user U, a workflow engine 3 that operates on an application server, and a database server. It consists of various databases 41-46. Regarding the connection path of each database, a solid line indicates an access relationship, and a broken line indicates a data reference relationship.

  In addition, a plurality of document management systems 5 that can be accessed by the workflow management system 1 and directly from the user interface 2 are provided.

  The user interface 2 includes a rendering engine 21 that performs screen drawing (rendering) and an input / output control unit 22 that performs input / output with respect to the workflow engine 3 and the like.

  The workflow engine 3 includes a task control unit 31 that controls (creates, executes, and the like) a task that configures a workflow, a document metadata control unit 32 that controls document metadata such as bibliographic information, and databases 41 to 46. And a related information search means 33 for searching for related documents. The document metadata control unit 32 includes a document metadata management unit 321 that manages document metadata. The related information search unit 33 includes a search condition generation unit 331 that generates a search condition, and a repository selection unit 332 that selects a document management system 5 or the like to be searched.

  The task instance DB 41 stores data of specific task instances (task instances). As shown in FIG. 2, the task instance DB 41 has items such as “ID”, “title”, “executor”, “parent task”, “subtask”, “task classification”, and “task model ID”.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the task model DB 42 stores task model data serving as a model of task instances. As shown in FIG. 2, the task model DB 42 has items such as “ID”, “title”, “subtask ID”, and “task model classification”.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the related information DB 43 stores related information referred to when the workflow is executed. The document metadata DB 44 stores document metadata such as bibliographic information.

  The repository DB 45 stores information on the document management system 5 searched by the workflow management system 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the repository DB 45 has items such as “ID”, “name”, “search URL”, and “normal search target”. In the document management system 5 that specializes in the collection purpose of the held document, “normal search target” is set to “FALSE” to designate exclusion from the search target unless otherwise specified.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the repository selection DB 46 stores information on whether or not to select the document management system 5 according to the classification name. As shown in FIG. 3, the repository selection DB 46 has items such as “classification name”, “repository ID”, and “selection method”. By comparing the “classification name” in the repository selection DB 46 with the “task classification” of the task or the “task model classification” of the task model, the document management system 5 corresponding to the task is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the document management system 5 receives a search request including a search condition from the workflow engine 3 or the like, executes a search, a document management DB 52 for storing documents, and a GUI (Graphical related to document management). And a document management GUI control unit 53 for controlling (User Interface).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of system elements. A PC on which the user interface 2 operates, an application server executed by the workflow engine 3, a database server on which various databases 41 to 46 operate, and a document management system 5 operate. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of a computer device 10 such as a database server. That is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 15, and an I / F (Interface) connected to the system bus 11. 16, an I / O (Input / Output Device) 17 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 19 connected to the I / F 16.

<Relationship between tasks etc. and document repository>
FIG. 5 shows a content relationship between a task (task instance) and a task model managed by the workflow management system 1 and a document managed by the document management system 5. For example, the task “literature search” is related in detail to the document management system (# 1) 5 that accumulates “scholarly papers”. The task having the task “prototype experiment” as a parent is related in detail to the document management system (# 2) 5 in which “programming technology information” is stored. The task “overseas business trip” and the task model “overseas business trip” are related in detail to the document management system (# 3) 5 in which “internal regulations” are accumulated. The task model “application for business trip” is related in detail to the document management system (# 3) 5 in which “expense settlement” is accumulated. As described above, the document management system 5 to be searched differs depending on the task hierarchy and the task model hierarchy.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a method according to the present embodiment. By using the task classification of each task, the task model classification of the corresponding task model, and the same classification of the parents on the hierarchy, FIG. The workflow management system 1 can recognize the indicated correspondence relationship.

<Operation>
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing example of task related document display.

  In FIG. 7, when a display request for task related information is made from the user interface 2 to the workflow engine 3 (step S <b> 101), the workflow engine 3 is searched by the search condition generation unit 331 (FIG. 1) of the related information search means 33. A search condition is created (step S102). In creating this search condition, task information is acquired from the task instance DB 41 (steps S103 and S104).

  Next, the workflow engine 3 performs repository selection by the repository selection unit 332 of the related information search means 33 (step S105). In this repository selection, the repository list is acquired from the repository DB 45 (steps S106 and S107), the task classification is acquired from the task instance DB 41 (steps S108 and S109), and the task model classification is acquired from the task model DB 42 (steps). S110, S111) and acquisition of the repository selection method from the repository selection DB 46 (steps S112, S113). Details of the repository selection process will be described later.

  Next, the workflow engine 3 performs a document search by using the related information search unit 33 (step S114). In this document search, document searches from a plurality of document management systems 5 are performed (steps S115 to S118).

  Then, the workflow engine 3 provides a related document search result to the user interface 2 (step S119).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of repository selection processing. In the following description, the notation “task. Task classification” indicates the value of the attribute “task classification” of the object variable “task”. Other similar notations are used, but the interpretation is the same.

  In FIG. 8, when repository selection processing is started using the variable task_id as a parameter (step S201), a repository list is acquired from the repository DB 45, and a list having <ID, normal search target> as an element is set as a selection list (step S201). S202).

  Next, the task is searched from the task instance DB 41 with the condition “ID = task_id”, the result is set to the variable task, the task.task classification is set to the variable tags, and the task.task model ID is set to the variable model_id (step S203).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the variable model_id is a null value (step S204).

  When the variable model_id is not a null value (No in step S204), the task model is searched from the task model DB 42 with the condition “ID = model_id”, and the resulting task model classification is added to the variable tags (step S205).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the variable tags is empty (step S206).

  If the variable tags is empty (Yes in step S206), the task.parent task is set to the variable task_id (step S207), and it is determined whether or not the variable task_id is an empty value (step S208).

  If the variable task_id is not a null value (No in step S208), the process returns to the search from the task instance DB 41 (step S203).

  If the variable task_id is an empty value (Yes in step S208), the selection list is returned as a result (step S217), and the process ends (step S218).

  On the other hand, when the variable tags is not empty (No in step S206), the following processing is executed in a loop for all elements in the variable tags (steps S209 to S216).

  First, the element of variable tags is set to variable tag (step S210).

  Next, the repository selection DB 46 is searched with the condition “classification name = tag”, the result is set in the variable sel (step S211), and it is determined whether or not it is found (step S212).

  If found (Yes in step S212), it is determined what the value of the sel. Selection method is (step S213).

  Then, if the value of the sel. Selection method is “use” (use of step S213), the search target is set to “TRUE” for ID = sel. Repository ID in the selection list (step S214). .

  If the value of the sel. Selection method is “exclusion” (exclusion in step S213), the search target is set to “FALSE” for ID = sel. Repository ID in the selection list (step S215). .

  When the process is executed for all the elements in the variable tags and the loop is exited (step S216), the selection list is returned as a result (step S217), and the process is terminated (step S218).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing specific examples of the task instance DB 41 and the task model DB 42, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing specific examples of the repository DB 45 and the repository selection DB 46.

  The repository selection operation will be described below based on the specific examples of FIGS. 9 and 10.

  First, selection of a search target for providing information to a task (task instance) with ID “2002” in the task instance DB 41 of FIG. 9 will be described.

The selection list is initialized by “normal search target” for each document management system defined in the repository DB 45 (FIG. 10).
Selection list = {<1, FALSE>, <2, TRUE>, <3, TRUE>, <4, FALSE>}
It becomes.

In the task instance DB 41 (FIG. 9), referring to the repository selection DB 46 (FIG. 10) having “classification name” as the task classification “document search” associated with the task with the ID “2002”, the “repository ID” is “1”. "Selection method" is "Use", select the corresponding selection list = {<1, TRUE>, <2, TRUE>, <3, TRUE>, <4, FALSE>}
Update to

  Since the task model ID is not associated with the task with the ID “2002” in the task instance DB 41 (FIG. 9), the selection calculation is completed.

  As a result, all of the four document management systems except “expense settlement” are to be searched.

  Next, selection of a search target for providing information to a task (task instance) with ID “2010” in the task instance DB 41 (FIG. 9) will be described.

The selection list is initialized by “normal search target” for each document management system defined in the repository DB 45 (FIG. 10).
Selection list = {<1, FALSE>, <2, TRUE>, <3, TRUE>, <4, FALSE>}
It becomes.

  In the task instance DB 41 (FIG. 9), the “task classification” is not associated with the task with ID “2010”.

The task model with the task model ID “8” associated with the task with the ID “2010” in the task instance DB 41 (FIG. 9) has the task model classification “business trip” from the task model DB 42 (FIG. 9). Referring to the repository selection DB 46 (FIG. 10) having the task model classification “business trip” as the “classification name”, the “repository ID” is “2” and the “selection method” is “exclusion”. Select list = {<1, FALSE>, <2, FALSE>, <3, TRUE>, <4, FALSE>}
Update to

  As a result, among the four document management systems, only “internal regulations” are selected as search targets.

  When the selection list is updated, if there are a plurality of classification names, designation of the selection method may be set inconsistently. In this case, the setting of “exclusion” can be solved by a method of giving priority over “use”.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information already existing in the task instance DB or task model DB as the task classification or task model classification is associated with the selection of the document management system without additional work. A document management system closely related to contents can be selected. Thereby, accurate and efficient timely information distribution can be performed.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Workflow management system 2 User interface 21 Rendering engine 22 Input / output control part 3 Workflow engine 31 Task control part 32 Document metadata control part 321 Document metadata management part 33 Related information search means 331 Search condition generation part 332 Repository selection part 41 Task Instance DB
42 Task model DB
43 related information DB
44 Document metadata DB
45 Repository DB
46 Repository selection DB
5 Document Management System 51 Document Search Unit 52 Document Management DB
53 Document Management GUI Control Unit

JP 2007-188144 A JP 2007-188145 A JP 2008-071082 A

Claims (7)

Workflow management for managing a constructive workflow by a management server having a database, independent of a plurality of document management systems having a document database for storing a document body and document identification information for identifying the document body and document search means A system,
The management server
Search condition generation means for generating a search condition for obtaining information related to the specified task;
Repository selecting means for selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information of a repository selection database that stores a task attribute and a relation of the document management system, from task attributes;
Related information retrieval means for transmitting a retrieval request to the selected document management system;
A workflow management system comprising related information display means for displaying the obtained search results. The workflow management system according to claim 1,
The management server
Employs identification information that identifies the task as a task attribute,
A workflow management system, wherein the document management system to which a related information retrieval request is to be transmitted is individually selected for each task. The workflow management system according to claim 1,
The management server
Adopting identification information that classifies tasks as task attributes,
A workflow management system comprising: selecting a document management system to which a related information retrieval request is to be transmitted according to a task classification. The workflow management system according to claim 1,
The management server
Adopt the task model associated with the task as a task attribute,
A workflow management system comprising: selecting the document management system to which a related information search request is to be transmitted corresponding to a task model associated with a task. In the workflow management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The management server
In selecting the document management system with reference to the repository selection database,
In addition to the task attributes, adopt the task parent task and ancestor task attributes on the task instance database that stores task information including bibliographic information of tasks and the hierarchical structure between tasks,
A workflow management system comprising: selecting a document management system to which a related information retrieval request is to be transmitted according to a hierarchical structure of tasks. Workflow management for managing a constructive workflow by a management server having a database, independent of a plurality of document management systems having a document database for storing a document body and document identification information for identifying the document body and document search means A system control method comprising:
A search condition generation step for generating a search condition for obtaining information related to the specified task;
A repository selection step of selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information of a repository selection database that stores a relationship between the task attribute and the document management system, from the task attribute;
A related information retrieval step of transmitting a retrieval request to the selected document management system;
A workflow management method comprising: a related information display step for displaying an obtained search result. Workflow management for managing a constructive workflow by a management server having a database, independent of a plurality of document management systems having a document database for storing a document body and document identification information for identifying the document body and document search means A system control program,
The management server
Search condition generation means for generating a search condition for obtaining information related to a specified task,
Repository selection means for selecting the document management system to be searched for related information based on information of a repository selection database that stores the relationship between the task attribute and the document management system, from the task attribute;
Related information search means for transmitting a search request to the selected document management system;
A workflow management program for functioning as related information display means for displaying the obtained search results.

Images