Interactive tool for constructing and editing process diagrams

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for assisting a user in creating a process diagram according to a specific methodology. A template library includes a plurality of entities associated with the methodology. Each of the plurality of entities has an associated one of a plurality of entity categories. A user interface allows a user to insert entities from the library into the process diagram and insert connections between the entities to show logical relationships between the entities. A graphical engine generates an optimal arrangement of the entities within the process diagram according to at least one characteristic of a plurality of entities and at least one connector associated with the process diagram and at least one optimization criteria when a user inserts an entity or connection. The graphical engine is operative to animate a transition between an original arrangement and the optimal arrangement.