Methodology framework and delivery vehicle

• US 20050034098A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: O'Riordan, Deirdre C., DeSchryver, Elizabeth
• Granted Patent: US 8,645,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/101
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A hierarchical framework for a library of software process management methodologies includes at a first level of hierarchy, a collection of activities that describe the process, wherein each activity requires the use of a unique skill set domain. At a second level of hierarchy, the framework includes a collection of tasks that describe the activity. At a third level of hierarchy, the framework includes a collection of steps that describe the task. For each methodology, a portion of the activities are categorized across a set of taxonomies common to a plurality of methodologies contained in the library such that the portion of activities is reusable for the plurality of methodologies.

Claims

1. A hierarchical framework for a library of software process management methodologies, the framework comprising

at a first level of hierarchy, a collection of activities that describe the process, wherein each activity requires the use of a unique skill set domain;

at a second level of hierarchy, a collection of tasks that describe the activity; and

at a third level of hierarchy, a collection of steps that describe the task;

wherein for each methodology, a portion of the activities are categorized across a set of taxonomies common to a plurality of methodologies contained in the library such that the said portion of activities is reusable for the plurality of methodologies.

2. The hierarchical framework of claim 1 wherein the activities reusable for a plurality of methodologies are selected from Human Resources, Unit Management, Finance &

Reporting, Performance Measurement, Process &

Quality Management, Service Management, Technology Enablement, and Facilities &

Equipment.

3. The hierarchical framework of claim 1 wherein the activities reusable for a plurality of methodologies are selected from analyzing, designing, building and testing application;

analyzing, designing, building and testing technical architecture;

analyzing, designing, building and testing training &

performance support.

4. A method for organizing a methodology into a reusable hierarchical framework for a library of methodologies comprising:

selecting at least five workstreams from the group consisting of project management, application, content, technical architecture, training &

performance support, business process, organization, facilities &

equipment, and service introduction;

for each selected workstream, defining one activity to correspond to each stage from the group comprising analyze, design, build, and test; and

defining a set of tasks associated with each activity, each task comprising a single outcome.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising defining a set of tasks associated with planning the implementation of a system application project for a methodology, and defining a set of tasks for deploying the system application.

6. A method for mapping a knowledge base into a hierarchical framework to facilitate reusability of task objects between related work domains, wherein the objects contain descriptions of tasks for executing an information technology methodology, the method comprising:

defining a set of taxonomies comprising members of a universe of activity objects for a methodology;

organizing a set of task objects of singular granularity into object groups having in common a relation to one member of the taxonomy; and

publishing onto an application server for access by a user through an electronic display a plurality of documents having a hierarchical linkage, wherein a highest level document displays the set of taxonomies with links to a set of second level documents, each second level document representing an activity object instantiating a single member of the taxonomy, the second level document having links to a group of third-level documents, each third level document representing a task objects instantiating a single task object of singular granularity;

wherein each methodology is mapped to a selection of a set of taxonomies, whereby an instantiation of an activity object from one methodology may be reused for another methodology.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the activity objects are established by defining a first set of taxonomies sharing in common a first characteristic inherent to each member in the first set of taxonomies;

and defining a second set of taxonomies sharing in common a second characteristic inherent to each member in the second set of taxonomies;

the first set of characteristics being independent of the second set of characteristics; and

associating with an activity object one member of the first set of taxonomies and one member of the second set of taxonomies.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first characteristic is a time sequence, and the second characteristic is a skill set.

9. A user interface on a computer display for presenting a methodology comprising three levels of hierarchically-related displays consisting of a first level display, a plurality of second level displays and a plurality of third level displays, wherein

the first level display consists of a single page comprising a planning chart, the planning chart depicting a plurality of stages and a plurality of workstreams arranged in an orthogonal relationship forming intersections on the planning chart, wherein a user-selectable links is provided at an intersection to provide access to the second level display comprising information related to an activity corresponding intersected stage and workstream;

the second level display comprising an activity chart depicting a process of related tasks comprising the activity, wherein a user-selectable link is provided within the depiction of a task to provide access to the third level display comprising information related to the linked task; and

the third level display comprising a task chart depicting one or more steps for completing the task and a user-selectable link to a sample deliverable document associated with the task.

10. The user interface of claim 9, wherein the activity chart depicts the tasks pictorially.

11. The user interface of claim 9, wherein the activity chart depicts the tasks in a list.

12. The user interface of claim 9, wherein the third level display depicts the tasks pictorially.