Patent Application
20140058774
The disclosure relates generally to business process management, and more particularly, relates to a system and method for business process management using a real time strategy game.
Currently, industries are becoming more instrumented and complex, with logistics challenges and sub-optimized processes. As these industries become more complex, they continue to lack an effective collaboration and fail to implement efficient business processes. Industries also lack a system for optimizing the business processes.
In the past, a cost-effective, virtual, and engaging way to train individuals on a variety of different topics was through Serious Games. Serious Games are cross-genre videogames that teach or produce work that leverage the appeal that entertainment games include. Reward systems, storylines, collaboration, and competition are among the few appeal mechanisms that Serious Games use. Soldiers, physicians, and athletes, alike, have all been trained to develop specific skills using Serious Games. However, the resulting outcome of these Serious Games is one-dimensional, such that the individuals simply learn a process that is taught by the game.
Aspects of the invention provide for business process management using a real time strategy game. In one embodiment, a system including a platform for business process management is provided. The system includes: a core operational real time strategy game for process improvement; a business process management system for receiving a business process model; and a real time data access and analytics system for tracking and analyzing real data of the core operational game and modifying, in response to the tracking, the business process model.
A first aspect of the invention provides a system including a platform for business process management, the platform comprising: a core operational real time strategy game for process improvement; a business process management system for receiving a business process model; and a real time data access and analytics system for tracking and analyzing real data of the core operational game and modifying, in response to the tracking, the business process model.
A second aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for business process management, comprising: providing a core operational real time strategy game for process improvement; receiving a business process model; tracking real data of the core operational game; and modifying, in response to the tracking, the business process model.
A third aspect of the invention provides a computer program comprising program code embodied in at least one computer-readable storage medium, which when executed, enables a computer system to implement a method of business process management, the method comprising: providing a core operational real time strategy game for process improvement; receiving a business process model; tracking real data of the core operational game; and modifying, in response to the tracking, the business process model.
Other aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, program products, and methods of using and generating each, which include and/or implement some or all of the actions described herein. The illustrative aspects of the invention are designed to solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or more other problems not discussed.
These and other features of the disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various aspects of the invention.
It is noted that the drawings may not be to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
As indicated above, aspects of the invention provide a system and method for business process management using a real time strategy game. As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the term “set” means one or more (i.e., at least one) and the phrase “any solution” means any now known or later developed solution.
Currently, industries are becoming more instrumented and complex, with logistics challenges and sub-optimized processes. As these industries become more complex, they continue to lack an effective collaboration and fail to implement efficient business processes. Industries also lack a system for optimizing the business processes.
In the past, a cost-effective, virtual, and engaging way to train individuals on a variety of different topics was through Serious Games. Serious Games are cross-genre videogames that teach or produce work that leverage the appeal that entertainment games include. Reward systems, storylines, collaboration, and competition are among the few appeal mechanisms that Serious Games use. Soldiers, physicians, and athletes alike, have all been trained to develop specific skills using Serious Games. However, the resulting outcome of these Serious Games is one-dimensional, such that the individuals simply learn a process that is taught by the game.
Aspects of the invention provide for business process management using a real time strategy game. In one embodiment, a system including a platform for business process management is provided. The system includes: a core operational real time strategy game for process improvement; a business process management system for receiving a business process model; and a real time data access and analytics system for tracking and analyzing real data of the core operational game and modifying, in response to the tracking, the business process model. By providing a gaming platform with collaboration capabilities, time manipulation, and business process management, businesses/clients will be able to better comprehend business process models and modify the business process models to be more efficient. Businesses/clients will be able to solve complex business process model problems and modify the business process models.
Turning to the drawings,
Computer system 22 is shown including a processing component 222 (e.g., one or more processors), a storage component 230 (e.g., a storage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component 226 (e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway 228. In general, processing component 222 executes program code, such as code for core operational game 24, business process management system 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36, which are at least partially fixed in storage component 230. While executing program code, processing component 222 can process data, which can result in reading and/or writing transformed data from/to storage component 230 and/or I/O component 226 for further processing. Pathway 228 provides a communications link between each of the components in computer system 22. I/O component 226 can comprise one or more human I/O devices, such as users 10A, 10B, 10C to interact with computer system 22, via client 12. To this extent, users 10A, 10B, 10C to interact with core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36 via client 12.
In any event, computer system 22 (and/or client 12) can comprise one or more general purpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices) capable of executing program code, such as core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36, installed thereon. As used herein, it is understood that “program code” means any collection of instructions, in any language, code or notation, that cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular action either directly or after any combination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36 can be embodied as any combination of system software and/or application software.
Further, core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36 can be modules that are implemented using computer system 22. In this case, each module can enable computer system 22 to perform a set of tasks used by each module, and can be separately developed and/or implemented apart from other modules. As used herein, the term “component” means any configuration of hardware, with or without software, which implements the functionality described in conjunction therewith using any solution, while the term “module” means program code that enables a computer system 22 to implement the actions described in conjunction therewith using any solution. When fixed in a storage component 230 of a computer system 22 that includes a processing component 22, a module is a substantial portion of a component that implements the actions. Regardless, it is understood that two or more components, modules, and/or systems may share some/all of their respective hardware and/or software. Further, it is understood that some of the functionality discussed herein may not be implemented or additional functionality may be included as part of computer system 22.
When computer system 22 comprises multiple computing devices, each computing device can have only one or more modules (core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36) fixed thereon. However, it is understood that computer system 22 and the modules thereon, are only representative of various possible equivalent computer systems that may perform a process described herein. To this extent, in other embodiments, the functionality provided by computer system 22 (and core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36) can be at least partially implemented by one or more computing devices that include any combination of general and/or specific purpose hardware with or without program code. In each embodiment, the hardware and program code, if included, can be created using standard engineering and programming techniques, respectively.
Regardless, when computer system 22 includes multiple computing devices, the computing devices can communicate over any type of communications link. Further, while performing a process described herein, computer system 22 can communicate with one or more other computer systems using any type of communications link. In either case, the communications link can comprise any combination of various types of optical fiber, wired, and/or wireless links; comprise any combination of one or more types of networks; and/or utilize any combination of various types of transmission techniques and protocols.
As discussed herein, each of the modules (core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36) enables computer system 22 to perform business process management using a real time strategy game.
Turning now to
Business process management system 26 is provided to receive a business process model 31. The real time data access and analytics system 30 is provided to track and analyze real data 32 of the core operational game 24, as a user 10A, 10B, 10C interacts with client 12. For example, in the field of education, the real data 32 may be statistics on how students are performing in the core operational game 24. In operation, core operational game 24 may generate a plurality of reports of the real data 32 tracked by the real data access and analytics system 30.
Based on the real time data 32, business process management 26 may also modify, in response to the tracking, the business process model 31. In this way, the business process model 31 may be optimized based on real time data 32. Business process management system 26 may also receive a plurality of business rules 28 from users 10A, 10B, 10C that are used for modifying the business process model 31. For example, business rules 28 may be rules that the business process model 31 is required to follow. This modified process model 31 may be provided to users 10A, 10B, 10C. Business process management 26 may also include a learning management system (LMS) 27 for generating a plurality of reports 29 for users 10A, 10B, 10C which are sent via LMS client 16.
A collaboration system 34 may also be provided for providing leader boards, forums, and web-based support, in order for users 10A, 10B, 10C to interact with one another (via collaboration client 18). Further, a geographical information system (GIS) 36 may also be provided for receiving location information.
While shown and described herein as a method and system for business process management, it is understood that aspects of the invention further provide various alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer system to business process management. To this extent, the computer-readable medium includes program code, such as core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36 (
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing a copy of program code, such as core operational game 24, business process management 26, RT data access and analytics system 30, collaboration system 34, and GIS 36 (
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of generating a system for business process management. In this case, a computer system, such as computer system 22 (
It is understood that aspects of the invention can be implemented as part of a business method that performs a process described herein on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider could offer to business process management as described herein. In this case, the service provider can manage (e.g., create, maintain, support, etc.) a computer system, such as computer system 22 (
The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to an individual in the art are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
