Automatic Graphical Rendering of Processes

Abstract

Tools for optimizing complex processes or systems, such as flow process charts are provided. More specifically, processes are automatically graphically rendered and editable. A progression diagram is automatically generated from data stored in a data storage, and at least some directional lines of the progression diagram unintelligibly overlap. In response to a selection of a particular operation in the progression diagram a view is presented that includes a focus diagram. The focus diagram and progression diagram are editable to enable a change in a functional relationship between two nodes within the focus diagram and/or the progression diagram.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a server coupled to data storage;   a tool in communication with the server to render a progression diagram from data stored in the data storage, wherein the progression diagram includes an origin, at least one originating operation, a directional line linking nodes representing the origin with the originating operation, and a second directional line linking a node representing the originating operation to nodes representing corresponding subsequent operations, wherein the directional lines represent outcomes of the originating operation, and wherein at least some of the directional lines overlap; and   the tool to render a view comprising a focus diagram automatically generated based on a selection of a particular operation in the progression diagram, wherein the focus diagram is a separate progression diagram including only those directional lines that represent an outcome of the particular operation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a directional line tool to draw a new directional line between two nodes shown in the progression diagram, each of the nodes representing two different operations in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the new directional line changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the data storage is updated with the changed functional relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a directional line tool to delete at least one directional line between two nodes in the focus diagram, the deletion representing termination of a relationship between the two nodes. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the directional line deletion changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the progression diagram. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the data storage is updated with the changed functional relationship. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product for rendering operations of a process, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by a processor to:
 render a progression diagram from data stored in a data storage, wherein the progression diagram includes an origin, at least one originating operation, a directional line linking nodes representing the origin with the originating operation, and a second directional line linking a node representing the originating operation to nodes representing corresponding subsequent operations, wherein the directional lines represent outcomes of the originating operation, and wherein at least some of the directional lines overlap; and   render a view comprising a focus diagram automatically generated based on a selection of a particular operation in the progression diagram, wherein the focus diagram is a separate progression diagram including only those directional lines that represent an outcome of the particular operation.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , further comprising a program code to draw a new directional line between two nodes shown in the progression diagram, each of the nodes representing two different operations in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the new directional line changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising program code to update the data storage with the changed functional relationship. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , further comprising program code to delete at least one directional line between two nodes in the focus diagram, the deletion representing termination of a relationship between the two nodes. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the directional line deletion changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the progression diagram. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 rendering a progression diagram from data stored in the data storage, wherein the progression diagram includes an origin, at least one originating operation, a directional line linking nodes representing the origin with the originating operation, and a second directional line linking a node representing the originating operation to nodes representing corresponding subsequent operations, wherein the directional lines represent outcomes of the originating operation, and wherein at least some of the directional lines overlap; and   rendering a view comprising a focus diagram automatically generated based on a selection of a particular operation in the progression diagram, wherein the focus diagram is a separate progression diagram including only those directional lines that represent an outcome of the particular operation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising drawing a new directional line between two nodes shown in the progression diagram, each of the nodes representing two different operations in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the new directional line changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the focus diagram. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising updating the data storage with the changed functional relationship. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising deleting at least one directional line between two nodes in the focus diagram, the deletion representing termination of a relationship between the two nodes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the directional line deletion changes a functional relationship between the two nodes in the progression diagram. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising updating the data storage with the changed functional relationship.