Flexible web-based interface for workflow management systems

A method for employing a flexible interface of a client program interconnected to a client server to access the functionality of a workflow management system operably networked to a workflow server, the functionality including a set of predefined process templates defining a set of tasks and being capable of monitoring workflow, assigning tasks to users, and allowing users to initiate instances of a process from one of the set of predefined process templates, the method comprising the steps of:

• configuring a set of predefined protocol user interface pages comprising at least one control page with said predefined protocol having at least one server-side script embedded therein;
• pointing at least one first workflow platform-dependent object to access the workflow functionality, wherein the at least one first workflow platform-dependent object is customized for the workflow management system;
• interfacing at least one second workflow platform independent object with the at least one first workflow platform dependent object, wherein the at least one second workflow platform independent object is configured to provide input data received from the client server to the at least one first workflow platform dependent object and to receive output data provided by the workflow management system from the at least one first workflow platform dependent object;
• and
• calling at least one server program with the at least one control page which thereby invokes at least one of the first workflow platform-dependent object and the at least one second workflow platform-independent object;
• wherein, when the functionality of the workflow management system is to be accessed via the set of predefined protocol user interface pages, the at least one control page calls the at least one server program which, in turn, invokes at least one of the first and second objects to promote data translation and exchange between the client program and the workflow management system.

A method for organizing and locating and navigating users within a flexible interface of a client program interconnected to a client server having a predefined interface root directory path to access the functionality of a workflow management system operably networked to a workflow server, the functionality including a set of predefined process templates each having a unique process identifier and defining a set of tasks and being capable of monitoring workflow, assigning tasks to users each having a unique task identifier, and allowing users to initiate instances of a process from one of the set of predefined process templates, the method comprising the steps of:

• creating at least one predefined protocol process activity page relating to a process and named for the unique process identifier, wherein the process corresponds with a function of the workflow management system and defines one or more tasks, the workflow management system being configured to assign the tasks to users and to monitor work performed on the tasks;
• locating the at least one predefined protocol process activity page in the predefined interface root directory path;
• creating a process directory beneath the predefined interface root directory path for the process and named for the unique identifier thereof;
• creating at least one predefined notifications view control page within the created process directory in a predetermined protocol relating to a task assignable within the process and named for the task unique identifier if the task requires completion by a designated deadline the at least one predefined notification view control page being configured to be issued when the task is not completed by the designated deadline;
• locating the at least one predefined notifications view control page in the created directory within the predefined interface root directory path;
• creating at least one predefined protocol user interface page within the created process directory in a predetermined protocol relating to a task assignable within the process and named for the task unique identifier if the process requires input on any of its assignable activities;
• locating the at least one predefined protocol user interface page in the created directory within the predefined interface root directory path;
• and
• whereby the predefined protocol process activity page can be automatically located by the interface within the predefined interface root directory path of the client server by only knowing the process unique identifier and the at least one predefined protocol user interface page can be located in the created directory within the predefined interface root directory path by knowing only the task unique identifier.