Method and system for top-down business process definition and execution

A method of generating an enterprise application, comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying a plurality of building blocks that define a workflow process, each building block being representative of a step in the workflow process;
• (b) sequencing and connecting together the plurality of building blocks to create a workflow process model;
• (c) defining at least one task to be accomplished within at least one of the building blocks;
• (d) associating data with the at least one task;
• (e) loading the workflow process model on a process server;
• and
• (f) generating on the process server a client application accessible to users.

A method of defining and implementing a top-down workflow process, comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying top level process steps in the workflow process;
• (b) selecting graphically displayed building blocks to represent each of the top level process steps;
• (c) arranging and connecting the building blocks to create a top level workflow process model;
• (d) determining which of the top level process steps in the top level workflow process model are amenable to sub-process steps;
• (e) for each top level process step identified in step (d), selecting further building blocks to represent the sub-process steps and associating the thus-selected building blocks with the respective top level process step identified in step (d);
• (f) associating non-control data with at least a portion of the building blocks;
• (g) loading the building blocks and at least a portion of the non-control data on a process server;
• and
• (h) running the top level workflow process model including any associated sub-process steps.

A system for designing and implementing a business process, comprising:

• (a) a process designer tool having a graphical interface for defining a business process model in a top-down method, the business process model having
• (i) at least one process having control flow defined between at least two components, and
• (ii) at least one task having a definition, each task definition incorporating a user interface for performing the task and defining access to business data required to complete the task;
• and
• (b) a process server capable of deploying the process model by following the control flow defined in the process and presenting to at least one end user the defined task via the user interface.

A system for creating and implementing a process model for an enterprise, comprising:

• a process designer comprising a graphical user interface used to develop components and resources and to define process flow and data flow among said components and resources, the process designer being capable of defining at least one procedure associated with at least one of said components and resources;
• a process server for running the at least one procedure and for assigning tasks in accordance with a priority scheme defined in the process designer;
• and
• a process client comprising a graphical user interface operable to allow end users to log on and connect to the process server, to access any assigned tasks and to perform said assigned tasks.