System, method and computer program product for controlling workflow

Abstract

A facility is described for enabling workflow applications. The facility receives a request to identify an optimized resource list that identifies resources capable of performing a workflow process task. The workflow process task can be associated with a document type relating to a document associated with a workflow envelope. The workflow envelope can store multiple documents of at different document types. The facility includes a workflow engine and a simulation engine. The workflow engine performs workflow process tasks based on the tasks identified in the workflow envelope. The simulation engine can employ modeling and historical data from a workflow metrics data source to generate the optimized resource list and identify identifying resources matching the workflow process tasks identified in the workflow envelope. The simulation engine can be used to model the workflow process to adapt, modify or otherwise control the workflow.

1 . A method for controlling workflow, comprising:
 at a computer implementing a simulation engine, generating an optimized resource list in response to a request received at the simulation engine, wherein the generating comprises:
 populating input parameters of the simulation engine with models and historical data; and 
 determining, by running multiple scenarios with the input parameters, which resources best match the request based on a plurality of optimization criteria; and 
   controlling the workflow utilizing the optimized resource list.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling comprises adaptively configuring one or more workflow processes associated with the workflow, wherein the simulation engine performs the configuring. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling comprises dynamically optimizing the workflow at runtime. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the optimized resource list is utilized by a workflow engine to complete a step in a workflow process and wherein the controlling comprises modifying a definition of the workflow process. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the workflow process comprises a rule and wherein modifying the definition comprises:
 computing a threshold value; and   applying the threshold value to the rule.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing the optimized resource list to a workflow engine, the optimized resource list containing the resources best match the request, the workflow engine utilizing the optimized resource list to complete a step in a workflow process. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining further comprises predicting availability of a resource based on historical productivity or efficiency of the resource, or a schedule for the resource. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions translatable by a computer to perform:
 generating an optimized resource list in response to a request received at the computer, wherein the generating comprises:
 populating input parameters of a simulation engine with models and historical data; and 
 determining, by running multiple scenarios with the input parameters, which resources best match the request based on a plurality of optimization criteria; and 
   controlling the workflow utilizing the optimized resource list.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the controlling comprises adaptively configuring one or more workflow processes associated with the workflow. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the controlling comprises dynamically optimizing the workflow at runtime. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the optimized resource list is utilized by a workflow engine to complete a step in a workflow process and wherein the controlling comprises modifying a definition of the workflow process. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the workflow process comprises a rule and wherein modifying the definition comprises:
 computing a threshold value; and   applying the threshold value to the rule.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the computer to perform:
 providing the optimized resource list to a workflow engine, the optimized resource list containing the resources best match the request, the workflow engine utilizing the optimized resource list to complete a step in a workflow process.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the determining further comprises predicting availability of a resource based on historical productivity or efficiency of the resource, or a schedule for the resource. 
     
     
         15 . A system for controlling workflow, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
 generating an optimized resource list in response to a request received at a simulation engine, wherein the generating comprises:
 populating input parameters of the simulation engine with models and historical data; and 
 determining, by running multiple scenarios with the input parameters, which resources best match the request based on a plurality of optimization criteria; and 
 
 controlling the workflow utilizing the optimized resource list. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the controlling comprises adaptively configuring one or more workflow processes associated with the workflow. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the controlling comprises dynamically optimizing the workflow at runtime. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the optimized resource list is utilized by a workflow engine to complete a step in a workflow process and wherein the controlling comprises modifying a definition of the workflow process. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
 providing the optimized resource list to a workflow engine, the optimized resource list containing the resources best match the request, the workflow engine utilizing the optimized resource list to complete a step in a workflow process.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the determining further comprises predicting availability of a resource based on historical productivity or efficiency of the resource, or a schedule for the resource.