Workflow system matrix organization search engine
View Patent ↗A rule-based search engine is used in conjunction with an automated network-based workflow system (which in turn is interfaced with an organizational database) to efficiently determine service routing requests from users/clients. The search engine employs search techniques adapted for use with multi-dimensional tree structures that define the matrix organizational model. Workflow services are preferably represented by roles that can be used to represent workflow actors in the workflow routing rules. These roles are preferably evaluated at run-time to best match recipients depending on the organization context from which the routing request is made.
1. A computer-based implementation of a method for determining one or more best matching resources, given a resource x and role F, in a hierarchical matrix-based workflow model, said method comprising:
a. identifying a need, Y, within an organization that requires a resource x;
b. defining a role F as being a resource category that can fulfill identified need Y, where said role F is represented as a node in a hierarchy;
c. automatically iteratively searching up an organizational hierarchical tree for roles F, where the searching steps through organizational nodes where subsequent nodes return roles that represent nodes with increasing hierarchical standing;
d. identifying at each organizational hierarchical node links to other organizational nodes outside the current hierarchical tree;
e. returning at least one role F in said iterative search that ends when the top of the hierarchy is reached;
f. comparing each role F in the hierarchy with the specific requirements of need Y to determine which role F best matches said requirements;
g. if steps a-e return at least one role F, then proceed to step i, otherwise continue to step h;
h. from the linkages identified in step d, returning a role F and comparing the role F with the specific requirements of need Y to determine which role F best matches requirements;
i. storing or displaying the best matching resources that have been identified as candidates to fill need Y.
2. The computer based implementation of claim 1 , wherein the hierarchical matrix-based workflow is a three-dimensional workflow comprising the following axes: organizational unit, title hierarchy, and functional roles.
3. The computer-based implementation of claim 1 , wherein the method is network enabled, the network comprising any of the following: local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, HTTP-based network, or PSTN/PBX network.