Automatically evolving processes in workflow automation

A computer program product comprising:

• a tangible, computer readable storage memory device;
• and
• one or more computer programs encoded by the tangible, computer readable storage memory device, the computer program being configured to cause a processor to perform the steps of:
• providing to a configuration management system a first through Nth plurality of workflow templates, the templates comprising a first workflow template having a first level of automation and complexity in which at least a plurality of tasks require manual input, manual response, or manual approval, the first through Nth templates having progressively greater automation than the lower-ordered templates, wherein N is two or greater, wherein greater automation comprises fewer tasks which require manual input or interaction with a user, and wherein the configuration management system comprises a computing platform including a processor;
• subsequent to the providing of the plurality of progressively greater automation workflow templates, operating the first workflow template by the configuration management system;
• during or subsequent to the operating of the first workflow template, determining by the configuration management system a maturity level measurement of errors for one or more user interactions selected from the group consisting of manual input, manual response, or manual approval;
• responsive to detecting by the configuration management system that the maturity level measurement conforms to a pre-determined benchmark, automatically selecting, engaging, and operating by the configuration management system the second workflow template, thereby increasing automation by one or more workflow changes selected from the group consisting of automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses;
• and
• repeating the determining of maturity level, and conditionally selecting, engaging, and operating to select progressively greater automation through the Nth workflow template by the configuration management system, thereby continuing to increase automation by one or more workflow changes selected from the group consisting of automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses, the increases in automation being automatic responses by the configuration management system to the maturity level conforming to the pre-determined benchmark.

A system comprising:

• a first through Nth plurality of workflow templates provided into a tangible, computer readable storage memory device, the templates comprising a first workflow template having a first level of automation and complexity in which at least a plurality of tasks require manual input, manual response, or manual approval, the first through Nth templates having progressively greater automation than the lower ordered templates, wherein N is two or greater, wherein greater automation comprises fewer tasks which require manual input or interaction with a user;
• a configuration management system having a processor and having access to the plurality of workflow templates in the memory device, the configuration management system configured to operate a workflow template selected from the provided plurality of workflow templates;
• a maturity manager portion of the configuration management system configured to, subsequent to the providing of the plurality of progressively greater automation workflow templates, and during or subsequent to the operating of the first workflow template determine a maturity level measurement of errors for one or more user interactions selected from the group consisting of manual input, manual response, or manual approval;
• a template manager portion of the configuration management system configured to:
• responsive to detecting by the configuration management system that the maturity level measurement conforms to a pre-determined benchmark, automatically select, engage, and operate by the configuration management system the second workflow template, thereby increasing automation by one or more workflow changes selected from the group consisting of automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses;
• and
• repeat the determining of maturity level, and conditionally selecting, engaging, and operating to select progressively greater automation through the Nth workflow templates by the configuration management system, thereby continuing to increase automation by one or more workflow changes selected from the group consisting of automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses, the increases in automation being automatic responses by the configuration management system to the maturity level conforming to the pre-determined benchmark.