Automatically evolving processes in workflow automation systems

1. A method for gradually automating a workflow comprising:

subsequent to engaging a first increase in complexity towards a more-complex automated workflow from a previously-engaged workflow automation template in a Change Control Management server, monitoring, by one or more computer systems, a user-input error rate for a recovery period of time commencing at the time of the engaging—wherein the first increase in complexity comprises automation of a new computer-performed task in an automated workflow, wherein the user-input error rate comprises measurements of inputs from a plurality of Change Control Management server users having a plurality of heterogeneous user roles, user functions, and user authority levels, wherein the Change Control Management server automates distribution of software products, software patches and software upgrades to one or more end user devices;

responsive to detecting, by the one or more computer systems, that the monitored user-input error rate exceeds a first predetermined benchmark, reverting by the Change Control Management server to the previously-engaged automated workflow template in which the newly automated computer-performed task is disabled from being performed by the Change Control Management server;

continuing the monitoring, by the one or more computer systems; and

responsive to detecting, by the one or more computer systems, that the monitored user-input error rate is less than a second predetermined benchmark, engaging, by the one or more computer systems, a second increase of automated workflow complexity wherein the second increase is less than the first increase, wherein the second increase of complexity comprises one or more automation operations selected from the group consisting of automating a new task not previously performed by a user or the Configuration Control Management server, eliminating a task previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server, and skipping two or more tasks previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server in the workflow, thereby automating computer upgrade tasks while reducing user-input errors which automatically upgrades the Configuration Control Management server by increasing efficiency of utilization of technical assets of the Change Control Management server.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the monitoring of a user-input error rate comprises using one or more measurements selected from the group consisting of a number of processes executed by a group of users successfully, a number of error-free operations completed by a group of users, a number of errors for one or more user interactions, an acclimation time for users to reach proficiency to a previous change in workflow, a user satisfaction rate of the current workflow, and an acceptance rate by one or more users of the workflow.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the responding to detection of the user-input error rate conforming to a pre-determined user error benchmark further comprises:

automatically notifying, by the one or more computer systems, a process administrator that the benchmark has been met, and proposing, by the one or more computer systems, a second workflow which increases automation by automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses;

receiving, by the one or more computer systems, from the process administrator, a selection of the second workflow; and

engaging, by the one or more computer systems, the selected second workflow.

4. A computer program product for gradually automating a workflow comprising:

a tangible, computer readable storage memory device suitable for encoding computer programs, excluding a propagating signal;

one or more program instructions encoded by the tangible, computer readable storage memory device for causing one or more processors of one or more computer systems to perform operations comprising:

subsequent to engaging a first increase in complexity towards a more-complex automated workflow from a previously-engaged workflow automation template in a Change Control Management server, monitoring a user-input error rate for a recovery period of time commencing at the time of the engaging—wherein the first increase in complexity comprises automation of a new computer-performed task in an automated workflow, wherein the user-input error rate comprises measurements of inputs from a plurality of Change Control Management server users having a plurality of heterogeneous roles, functions, and authority levels, wherein the Change Control Management server automates distribution of software products, software patches and software upgrades to one or more end user devices;

responsive to detecting that the monitored user-input error rate exceeds a first predetermined benchmark, reverting by the Change Control Management server to the previously-engaged automated workflow template in which the newly automated computer-performed task is disabled from being performed by the Change Control Management server;

continuing the monitoring; and

responsive to detecting by the Change Control Management server that the monitored user error rate is less than a second predetermined benchmark, engaging a second increase of automated workflow complexity wherein the second increase is less than the first increase, wherein the second increase of complexity comprises one or more automation operations selected from the group consisting of automating a new task not previously performed by a user or the Configuration Control Management server, eliminating a task previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server, and skipping two or more tasks previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server in the workflow, thereby automating computer upgrade tasks while reducing user-input errors which automatically upgrades the Configuration Control Management server by increasing efficiency of utilization of technical assets of the Change Control Management server.

5. The computer program product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the program instructions for monitoring of a user-input error rate comprises program instructions for using one or more measurements selected from the group consisting of a number of processes executed by a group of users successfully, a number of error-free operations completed by a group of users, a number of errors for one or more user interactions, an acclimation time for users to reach proficiency to a previous change in workflow, a user satisfaction rate of the current workflow, and an acceptance rate by one or more users of the workflow.

6. The computer program product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the program instructions for responding to detection of the user-input error rate conforming to a pre-determined benchmark further comprise program instructions for:

automatically notifying a process administrator that the benchmark has been met, and proposing by the computer system a second workflow which increases automation by automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses;

receiving from the process administrator a selection of a second workflow; and

engaging the selected second workflow.

7. A system for gradually automating a workflow comprising:

one or more computer processors of one or more computer systems; and

a computer readable storage memory device storing or encoding data an program instructions for causing the one or more computer processors of the one or more computer systems to perform steps comprising:

subsequent to engaging a first increase in complexity towards a more-complex automated workflow from a previously-engaged workflow automation template in a Change Control Management server, monitoring a user-input error rate for a recovery period of time commencing at the time of the engaging—wherein the first increase in complexity comprises automation of a new computer-performed task in an automated workflow, wherein the user-input error rate comprises measurements of inputs from a plurality of Change Control Management server users having a plurality of heterogeneous roles, functions, and authority levels, wherein the Change Control Management server automates distribution of software products, software patches and software upgrades to one or more end user devices;

responsive to detecting that the monitored user-input error rate exceeds a first predetermined benchmark, reverting by the Change Control Management server to the previously-engaged automated workflow template in which the newly automated computer-performed task is disabled from being performed by the Change Control Management server;

continuing the monitoring; and

responsive to detecting that the monitored user error rate is less than a second predetermined benchmark, engaging a second increase of automated workflow complexity wherein the second increase is less than the first increase, wherein the second increase of complexity comprises one or more automation operations selected from the group consisting of automating a new task not previously performed by a user or the Configuration Control Management server, eliminating a task previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server, and skipping two or more tasks previously performed by the Configuration Control Management server in the workflow, thereby automating computer upgrade tasks while reducing user-input errors which automatically upgrades the Configuration Control Management server by increasing efficiency of utilization of technical assets of the Change Control Management server.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the monitoring of a user-input error rate comprises using one or more measurements selected from the group consisting of a number of processes executed by a group of users successfully, a number of error-free operations completed by a group of users, a number of errors for one or more user interactions, an acclimation time for users to reach proficiency to a previous change in workflow, a user satisfaction rate of the current workflow, and an acceptance rate by one or more users of the workflow.

9. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the steps for responding to detection of the user-input error rate conforming to a pre-determined user error benchmark further comprise steps for:

automatically notifying a process administrator that the benchmark has been met, and proposing a second workflow template which increases automation by automating one or more subprocesses, adding one or more subprocesses, or eliminating one or more subprocesses;

receiving from the administrator a selection of a second workflow; and

engaging the selected second workflow by the computer system.