Method and apparatus for definition, referencing and navigation across multiple perspectives of an organization

• US 20050043984A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CACI Ltd. (CACI International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Salamander Enterprises Ltd.
• Inventors: Hodgson, Simon, Whittington, Dick
• Granted Patent: US 7,668,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating and subsequently using a series of graphical perspectives of an organisation. Each of the perspectives includes a series of defined elements which are identified as being part of the perspective. Each element is analysed in each of the perspectives and those which are common to more than one perspective are identified as are those elements which are interconnected and hence refer to each other. A graphical display panel is generated for each perspective which identifies in a dynamic manner those elements which are so connected and said panel can be used a navigational tool in conjunction with a graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A method for the development of an organisational representation, said representation including a plurality of different perspectives of the organisation, or part thereof, each perspective including a plurality of elements and wherein at least one of the elements is common to at least two of the perspectives.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein references between different elements of different perspectives are included in the representation.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein for each perspective each element is assessed with respect to the possible dependencies on other elements in the same or other perspectives.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein if a dependency is identified a visual indication is generated.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein a visual indication of the representation, perspectives, elements, and interrelations between the same is generated for viewing via a display screen.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein elements which appear in two or more of the perspectives are indicated visually in each perspective in which the said element appears.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein connections between elements in different perspectives are visually indicated.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein connections are used as a navigation mechanism to move around and between perspectives.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein a graphical organisational representation model is created, using capabilities that are structured so as to describe the construction of an organisation in terms of its diverse perspectives, each of which is defined in terms of elements thereof.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the elements of different perspectives are defined using selected terms.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the selected terms are properties of the perspective and references between elements are defined, such that an element within one perspective refers to an element in another perspective.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein a visual representation includes an information display which lists the referred elements in such a way that they can be navigated.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the listed elements are updated dynamically in the event of change to that element or an element which is referred to.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the user has the ability to define multiple perspectives of an organisation with reference to elements of each of said perspectives.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein references are generated of general and unrestricted types between the elements in the perspectives and connections of each element within the organisation are defined in terms of the elements dependencies with other elements, of the same or of different types.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the connections are used to navigate between elements within different perspectives.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the representation is generated as a graphical structuring and diagramming facility, together with a generalised definition facility, and includes a mechanism for dynamic display and navigation using a graphical user-interface.

18. A method for generating and subsequently using a series of graphical perspectives of an organisation each perspective including a series of defined elements which are identified as being part of the perspective, each element analysed in each of the perspectives and those elements common to more than one perspective are identified, as are those elements which are interconnected and hence refer to each other wherein a graphical display panel is generated for each perspective which identifies in a dynamic manner those elements which are so connected and said panel used as a navigational tool in conjunction with a graphical user interface to allow user navigation between each of the graphical perspective displays.