Problem solving graphical toolbar

• US 20060112056A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Andrea P., Rubin - Haiman, Hope
• Application Number:
  US10/949,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20060112056A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention provide a graphical application for guiding a user through an end-to-end process for addressing a problem. The graphical application prompts users to define the problem in a logical, consistent way. Once the problem in defined, the application further directs the users through a systematic processing for solving the problem, including structuring ideas for addressing the problem, investigating the problem, generating findings on the ideas, and generating further additional ideas in response to the generated findings on the existing ideas. The structuring of the ideas may be done through the creation of an issue tree, and the investigation of the problem may be structured through a research plan. Once a solution developed, the invention may further guide users in the presentation of the proposed solution, including the creation of a message plan, a process pyramid, and/or a story board depicting the solution.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for solving of a problem, the set of instructions implementing a process comprising:

defining the problem representing a situation having a current condition and a desired condition;

generating a solution the problem, the solution generating step comprising forming an issue tree to structure at least one issue related to the problem, developing a research plan, for generating findings related to the issue tree; and

documenting the findings; and

creating a presentation for communicating the solution formed from the findings, wherein the step of creating a presentation for communicating the solution comprising creating a message plan summarizing the problem and the solution;

creating a message pyramid organizing contents of the presentation; and

using the message plan and the pyramid to form the presentation.

2. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the message pyramid comprises a hierarchical structure, wherein the pyramid comprises one or more pyramid levels of differing logical abstraction.

3. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein each of the pyramid levels is Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the communication is a storyboard visually displaying the solution.

5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the communication is a prose document describing the solution through text.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the step of defining a problem comprises the creation of a problem definition worksheet specifying the situation, identify a complication preventing the desired condition, and defining a key question to be addressed in solving the problem.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the creation of a problem definition worksheet comprising acquiring a blank problem definition worksheet and directing the user in completing blank problem definition worksheet.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the step of defining a problem further comprises presenting an exemplary problem definition worksheet.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the issue tree breaks down the Key Question into one or more components, wherein the issue tree comprises one or more issue tree levels of differing logical abstraction, wherein the issue tree levels are Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the research plan comprises an issue analysis worksheet and a work plan.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the issue analysis worksheet comprises a restatement of the issue;

a hypothesis proposing an answer to the issue;

a required analysis estimation proposing one or more actions for testing the hypothesis; and

a data source estimation proposing a data source for the proposed actions.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the work plan comprises a workstream grouping one or more of the hypothesis testing actions, a roster designating one or more people to perform the workstream, and a schedule for carrying out the workstream by the roster.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the issue tree is a first issue tree, the research plan is a first research plan, and the findings are first findings;

and wherein the solution generating step comprising forming a second issue tree to structure a second issue produced from the first findings of the first issue tree, developing a second research plan for generating second findings related to the second issue tree; and

documenting the second findings related to the second issue tree.

14. A problem solution tool comprising:

a problem definition module for guiding a user to define a problem through a problem definition worksheet;

a solution generation module for guiding the user in solving the problem, wherein the solution generation module guides the user to structure at least one issue related to the problem through an issue tree, wherein the solution generation module guides the user form a research plan for generating findings related to the issue tree, and wherein the solution generation module accepts input from the user to document the findings; and

a presentation module for visually displaying a solution formed from the findings, wherein the presentation module comprises a message plan creation module, a message pyramid creation module organizing contents of the presentation; and

a storyboard creation module that uses the message plan and the pyramid to form the presentation.

15. The problem solution tool of claim 14, wherein the message pyramid comprises a hierarchical structure, wherein the pyramid comprises one or more pyramid levels of differing logical abstraction.

16. The problem solution tool of claim 15, wherein each of the pyramid levels is Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

17. The problem solution tool of claim 14, wherein the problem definition module creates a problem definition worksheet specifying the situation, identify a complication preventing the desired condition, and defining a key question to be addressed in solving the problem.

18. The problem solution tool of claim 17, wherein the problem definition module acquires a blank problem definition worksheet and directs the user in completing blank problem definition worksheet.

19. The problem solution tool of claim 17, wherein the problem definition module presents an exemplary problem definition worksheet.

20. The problem solution tool of claim 14, wherein the issue tree breaks down the Key Question into one or more components, wherein the issue tree comprises one or more issue tree levels of differing logical abstraction, wherein the issue tree levels are Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

21. The problem solution tool of claim 14, wherein the research plan comprises an issue analysis worksheet and a work plan.

22. The problem solution tool of claim 21, wherein the issue analysis worksheet comprises a restatement of the issue;

a hypothesis proposing an answer to the issue;

a required analysis estimation proposing one or more actions for testing the hypothesis; and

a data source estimation proposing a data source for the proposed actions.

23. The problem solution tool of claim 22, wherein the work plan comprises a workstream grouping one or more of the hypothesis testing actions, a roster designating one or more people to perform the workstream, and a schedule for carrying out the workstream by the roster.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the issue tree is a first issue tree, the research plan is a first research plan, and the findings are first findings;

and wherein the solution generation module forms a second issue tree to structure a second issue produced from the first findings of the first issue tree, develops a second research plan for generating second findings related to the second issue tree; and

documents the second findings related to the second issue tree.

25. A computerized method for addressing a problem comprising:

a computer defining the problem representing a situation having a current condition and a desired condition;

the computer generating a solution the problem, the solution generating step comprising forming an issue tree to structure at least one issue related to the problem, developing a research plan, for generating findings related to the issue tree; and

documenting the findings; and

the computer creating a presentation for communicating the solution formed from the findings, wherein the step of creating a presentation for communicating the solution comprising creating a message plan summarizing the problem and the solution;

creating a message pyramid organizing contents of the presentation; and

using the message plan and the pyramid to form the presentation.

26. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the message pyramid comprises a hierarchical structure, wherein the pyramid comprises one or more pyramid levels of differing logical abstraction.

27. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 26, wherein each of the pyramid levels is Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

28. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the communication is a storyboard visually displaying the solution.

29. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the communication is a prose document describing the solution through text.

30. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the step of the computer defining a problem comprises creating of a problem definition worksheet specifying the situation, identify a complication preventing the desired condition, and defining a key question to be addressed in solving the problem.

31. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 30, wherein the creation of a problem definition worksheet comprising the computer acquiring a blank problem definition worksheet, and the computer directing the user in completing blank problem definition worksheet.

32. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 30, wherein the step of defining a problem further comprises presenting an exemplary problem definition worksheet.

33. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the issue tree breaks down the Key Question into one or more components, wherein the issue tree comprises one or more issue tree levels of differing logical abstraction, wherein the issue tree levels are Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

34. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the research plan comprises an issue analysis worksheet and a work plan.

35. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 34, wherein the issue analysis worksheet comprises:

a restatement of the issue;

a hypothesis proposing an answer to the issue;

a required analysis estimation proposing one or more actions for testing the hypothesis; and

a data source estimation proposing a data source for the proposed actions.

36. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 35, wherein the work plan comprises a workstream grouping one or more of the hypothesis testing actions, a roster designating one or more people to perform the workstream, and a schedule for carrying out the workstream by the roster.

37. The computerized problem addressing method of claim 25, wherein the issue tree is a first issue tree, the research plan is a first research plan, and the findings are first findings;

and wherein the solution generating step comprising the computer forming a second issue tree to structure a second issue produced from the first findings of the first issue tree, the computer developing a second research plan for generating second findings related to the second issue tree; and

the computer documenting the second findings related to the second issue tree.