Workflow management system for an automated credit application system

A system to dynamically manage workflow for an automated credit application system in response to functions executed by a user or by the automated credit application system, comprising:

• a function module comprising a plurality of functions, each of said functions can be executed by the user or by the automated credit application system;
• a test module comprising a plurality of tests, each of said tests associated with at least one of said functions;
• a data module comprising a plurality of workflow process steps for an credit application, each of said workflow process steps associated with at least one of said tests;
• a notice module responsive to an executed function in said function module, wherein said notice module is used to identify which said workflow process steps for the credit application are associated with said executed function;
• and
• a security feature coupled with said function module, wherein each of said functions and the user are associated with a level of security and wherein a particular function can only be executed by the user if the user is associated with the same or higher level of security as said particular function.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for dynamically managing workflow for an automated credit application system in response to functions executed by a user or by the automated credit application system, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

• configuring means for enabling the computer to configure a workflow for a credit application, comprising:
• defining means for enabling the computer to accept from a user a definition for a plurality of workflow process steps, each said workflow process steps having an associated status, wherein said status can be complete or incomplete;
• associating means for enabling the computer to associate one or more tests with each of said workflow process steps;
• relating means for enabling the computer to relate one or more database elements with each of said tests;
• and
• linking means for enabling the computer to link one or more functions with each of said database elements;
• and
• processing means for enabling the computer to process a workflow for the credit application, comprising:
• identifying means for enabling the computer to identify an executed function, wherein said executed function can be executed by the user or by the automated credit application system;
• finding means for enabling the computer to find a set of potentially affected workflow process steps comprising all workflow process steps associated with said executed function;
• calculating means for enabling the computer to calculate the status of each workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps;
• dynamic determining means, responsive to said identifying means, said finding means and said calculating means, for enabling the computer to determine a next step for each said workflow process step in said set of potentially affected workflow process steps, in which said status changes from incomplete to complete according to said calculating means;
• and
• security means for associating a level of security with each of said functions and the user and wherein a particular function can only be executed by the user if the user is associated with the same or higher level of security as said particular function.

A method for dynamically managing one or more workflow process steps for an automated credit application system in response to functions executed by a user or by the automated credit application system, comprising the steps of:

• linking at least one rule test with each of the workflow process steps for a credit application;
• linking at least one rule element with each of said rule tests;
• linking each of said rule tests with at least one database element;
• linking each of said database elements to at least one of the functions;
• executing, by the user or by the automated credit application system, one of the functions, wherein the executed function alters said database elements,
• determining which of the workflow process steps for the credit application is next activated;
• and
• associating a level of security with each of said functions and the user and wherein a particular function can only be executed by the user if the user is associated with the same or higher level of security as said particular function.