Workflow visualization
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsEilene Hao Klaka, Phillip Allen, Alexander Malek, Mark Nelson, Philippe-Joseph Arida, Emil Cicos, Helene Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism is provided for saving workflow execution state and mapping the execution state to graphical elements overlaid on a graphical drawing representing the workflow generated by a separate application. The graphical drawing may be a flowchart drawing corresponding to one or more paths of the workflow and the graphical elements may provide status information associated with individual steps or groups of steps of the workflow execution.
Claims20
A method executed at least in part in a computing device for providing workflow visualization, the method comprising:
- executing a workflow;
- receiving a workflow definition;
- generating a new workflow definition that includes mappings to a static diagram visualizing the workflow;
- receiving workflow execution state information;
- loading graphical elements for annotating the static diagram based on the workflow execution state information, wherein the static diagram includes shapes and connectors constructed to represent workflow activities and activity flows described in the workflow definition;
- enabling a script within a rendering page for rendering the workflow visualization by overlaying the annotations on the static diagram;
- including one of:
- a textual visualization and a graphical visualization within the workflow visualization;
- presenting a list of workflow activities in a chronological order through the textual visualization wherein each entry in the list includes at least two of:
- a workflow activity, a date of the workflow activity, an identifier of a user associated with the workflow activity, and description of the workflow activity;
- and
- presenting the workflow as a flowchart including a start of the workflow and an end of the workflow through the graphical visualization.
A system having a processor for providing workflow visualization, the system comprising:
- a first server having a memory hosting a workflow application, the workflow application configured to:
- execute a workflow;
- and
- provide a workflow definition and a workflow execution state;
- a second server having another memory hosting a rendering application, the rendering application configured to:
- load a static diagram visualizing the workflow based on the workflow definition, wherein the static diagram includes shapes and connectors constructed to represent workflow activities and activity flows described in the workflow definition;
- retrieve graphical elements for annotating the static diagram with status and user information based on the workflow execution state;
- enable a script within a rendering page overlay the static diagram with the graphical elements and render an annotated diagram;
- include one of:
- a textual visualization and a graphical visualization within the annotated diagram;
- present a list of workflow activities in a chronological order through the textual visualization wherein each entry in the list includes at least two of:
- a workflow activity, a date of the workflow activity, an identifier of a user associated with the workflow activity, and description of the workflow activity;
- and
- present the workflow as a flowchart including a start of the workflow and an end of the workflow through the graphical visualization.
A computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon for providing workflow visualization, the instructions comprising:
- executing a workflow;
- providing a workflow definition and a workflow execution state;
- generating a new workflow definition that includes mappings to a static diagram visualizing the workflow;
- retrieving graphical elements for annotating the static diagram based on the workflow execution state, wherein the static diagram includes shapes and connectors constructed to represent workflow activities and activity flows described in the workflow definition;
- enabling a script within a rendering page to retrieve the static diagram and the graphical elements, wherein the graphical elements include at least one from a set of:
- an activity type icon, a user icon, and a status icon;
- rendering an annotated diagram representing the workflow based on the workflow execution state;
- including one of:
- a textual visualization and a graphical visualization within the annotated diagram;
- presenting a list of workflow activities in a chronological order through the textual visualization wherein each entry in the list includes at least two of:
- a workflow activity, a date of the workflow activity, an identifier of a user associated with the workflow activity, and description of the workflow activity;
- and
- presenting the workflow as a flowchart including a start of the workflow and an end of the workflow through the graphical visualization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.