Patent ID: 8260755

Claim:
A self-contained method for providing process-based documentation for a business process, the method comprising: diagramming, using a tool executed on a processor, flow charts for each high level process for achieving objectives of the business process in accordance with at least one business rule, including diagramming flow charts for a procedure, and corresponding procedure flow, for performing each step of each process, each procedure being directly accessed through the corresponding process step, the flow charts including a swim lane diagram for each process, such that each swim lane depicts a process goal and process steps for achieving each process goal, thereby providing process maps; diagramming flow charts for any sub processes of each high level process and any work products thereof, including diagramming flow charts for a procedure, and corresponding procedure flow, for performing each step of each sub process, each procedure being directly accessed through the corresponding process step, the flow charts including a swim lane diagram for each process, such that each swim lane depicts a process goal and process steps for achieving each process goal, thereby providing process maps; selecting from a plurality of types of repositories a type of repository to be used as a common repository for storing and retrieving documents related to the steps of each process and sub-process; linking information to corresponding steps of the processes for direct access thereto in a step-by-step manner without interrupting process flow to access external materials, wherein information beyond what is provided step-by-step is not accessed; and storing and retrieving documents related to the steps of each process and sub process, including the process maps and information, in the common repository, wherein the common repository integrates processes, sub-processes, procedures, reference materials and forms that provide the steps for successfully executing a process to deliver desired results without requiring access to other information external thereto.