IP Library Granted Patent US 10,713,084
Granted Patent B2
US 10,713,084 · App. 15/795,422 · Granted Jul 14, 2020

Cognitive learning workflow execution

Inventors: Molly Stevens (Poughkeepsie, NY); Kirsten Brunner-McDonald (Poughkeepsie, NY); Charlie Bryant (Binghamton, NY); Philip Siconolfi (Wappingers Falls, NY); Marna Walle (Pawling, NY)
Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
G06F9/46G06N20/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,713,084
App. No.
15/795,422
Granted
Jul 14, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Technical solutions are described for machine-assisted workflow execution. An example method includes selecting a workflow for interactive execution, the workflow including a sequence of workflow steps. The method further includes pulling a preliminary update for the workflow from a data source and modifying the workflow dynamically. The method further includes selecting a workflow step from the workflow for execution, and pulling updated information for the workflow step from the data source. The method further includes executing the workflow step using the pulled updated information, the execution includes changing a target system. The method further includes accumulating execution information including attributes associated with execution of the workflow step, and pushing the execution information to the data source upon completion of the workflow step.

Claims (46)

1. A computer-implemented method for a machine-assisted workflow execution, the method comprising:

selecting, by a user, using a workflow access-system, a workflow for interactive execution, the workflow comprising a sequence of workflow steps;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, a preliminary update for the workflow from a data source and modifying the workflow according to the preliminary update, the preliminary update being an update performed prior to execution of the workflow;

executing, by the user, using the workflow access-system, the workflow, wherein the execution comprises:

selecting, by the user, a workflow step from the workflow for execution on a target system;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, updated information for the workflow step from the data source;

executing, by the user, the workflow step using the pulled updated information and an execution information from the data source, the workflow step effecting a change to the target system;

accumulating, by the workflow access-system, from the user, the execution information comprising an annotation that identifies a level of ease associated with execution of the workflow step; and

pushing, by the workflow access-system, the execution information to the data source upon completion of the workflow step.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises adding the workflow step to the workflow.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises removing one of the workflow steps from the workflow.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises changing an operation being performed by the workflow step.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein pulling the preliminary update for the workflow comprises identifying the preliminary update based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein pulling the updated information for the workflow step comprises identifying the updated information based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow step.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the data source comprises a plurality of data sources comprising a data source from a vendor of the workflow, a data source within an organization of the target system, a non-vendor data source.

8. A workflow-access system comprising:

a memory; and

a processor configured for machine-assisted workflow execution comprising:

selecting, by a user, using the workflow access-system, a workflow for interactive execution, the workflow comprising a sequence of workflow steps;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, a preliminary update for the workflow from a data source and modifying the workflow according to the preliminary update, the preliminary update being an update performed prior to execution of the workflow;

executing, by the user, using the workflow access-system, the workflow, wherein the execution comprises:

selecting, by the user, a workflow step from the workflow for execution on a target system;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, updated information for the workflow step from the data source;

executing, by the user, the workflow step using the pulled updated information and an execution information from the data source, the workflow step effecting a change to the target system;

accumulating, by the workflow access-system, from the user, the execution information comprising an annotation that identifies a level of ease associated with execution of the workflow step; and

pushing, by the workflow access-system, the execution information to the data source upon completion of the workflow step.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises adding the workflow step to the workflow.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises removing one of the workflow steps from the workflow.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises changing an operation being performed by the workflow step.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein pulling the preliminary update for the workflow comprises identifying the preliminary update based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein pulling the updated information for the workflow step comprises identifying the updated information based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow step.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the data source comprises a plurality of data sources comprising a data source from a vendor of the workflow, a data source within an organization of the target system, a non-vendor data source.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to provide machine-assisted workflow execution comprising:

selecting, by a user, using a workflow access-system, a workflow for interactive execution, the workflow comprising a sequence of workflow steps;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, a preliminary update for the workflow from a data source and modifying the workflow according to the preliminary update, the preliminary update being an update performed prior to execution of the workflow;

executing, by the user, using the workflow access-system, the workflow, wherein the execution comprises:

selecting, by the user, a workflow step from the workflow for execution on a target system;

pulling, by the workflow access-system, updated information for the workflow step from the data source;

executing, by the user, the workflow step using the pulled updated information and an execution information from the data source, the workflow step effecting a change to the target system;

accumulating, by the workflow access-system, from the user, the execution information comprising an annotation that identifies a level of ease associated with execution of the workflow step; and

pushing, by the workflow access-system, the execution information to the data source upon completion of the workflow step.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises adding the workflow step to the workflow.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises removing one of the workflow steps from the workflow.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein modifying the workflow comprises changing an operation being performed by the workflow step.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein pulling the preliminary update for the workflow comprises identifying the preliminary update based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein pulling the updated information for the workflow step comprises identifying the updated information based on a unique identifier associated with the workflow step.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2017
From: STEVENS, MOLLY; BRUNNER-MCDONALD, KIRSTEN; BRYANT, CHARLIE; SICONOLFI, PHILIP; WALLE, MARNA
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043969/0288 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190129746A1 · May 2, 2019