System and method for integrating workflow processes with a project management system

• US 20060241997A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bhatawdekar, Ameya S., Aziz, Imran
• Application Number:
  US11/111,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20060241997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063118 Staff planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work

Abstract

A project management system is integrated with a workflow engine to provide automatic coordination of project tasks and workflow processes. The workflow engine provides support for defining logical expressions that determine a path of execution for the defined workflow tasks. In addition to composition capabilities, the workflow engine may execute and track the defined processes. The project management system provides a platform for defining the project plan that includes tasks and resources. Tasks are annotated defining their behavior and implementation and exported to the workflow system. The workflow system substitutes project tasks with the appropriate workflow activities and provides feedback upon execution of the activities.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for workflow instrumentation within a project, comprising:

providing a platform for constructing a project plan;

configuring the project plan to allow association with a workflow component, wherein a workflow component type is defined based on the project plan; and

providing an automated coordination between the workflow component and at least one portion of the project plan.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

defining one or more project tasks associated with the project plan;

scheduling the one or more project tasks; and

assigning resources and staff to the one or more project tasks, wherein at least one project task is associated with a workflow component.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

annotating at least one project task to provide the definition of the workflow component type; and

transferring the annotated project task to a workflow system such that associated workflow components are organized within the workflow system.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each project task is generated as a document and the annotation is included in metadata of the document.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the workflow component is at least one of a workflow task and a workflow instance.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the project plan includes arbitrary levels of project tasks that are hierarchically related.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

automatically modifying workflow components in a workflow system based on dynamic changes to the project plan.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

tracking a progress of each workflow component; and

reporting a tracking result to the project plan.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein reporting the tracking result includes transmitting at least one of an analysis result, a metric, an alert, and a request to at least one of an application that executes the project plan, a web browser, and a message exchange application.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

updating the project plan based on the tracking report; and

presenting the updated project plan employing a user-selectable view format when the tasks in the project are scheduled using a scheduling methodology for at least one of optimal resource, time utilization, and scope management.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer instructions for workflow instrumentation within a project, the instructions comprising:

providing a platform for constructing a project plan;

defining one or more project tasks associated with the project plan;

configuring the project plan to allow association between the project tasks and workflow components, wherein a workflow component type is defined based on the associated project task; and

providing an automated coordination between the workflow components and at least one portion of the project plan.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, the instructions further comprising:

annotating at least one project task to provide the definition of the workflow component type; and

transferring the annotated project task to a workflow system such that the associated workflow components are organized within the workflow system.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, the instructions further comprising:

tracking a progress of each workflow component within the workflow system; and

reporting a tracking result to a project management system executing the project plan.

14. A system for workflow instrumentation within a project, comprising:

a project management application that is arranged manage the project in coordination with workflow services and perform actions including;

providing a platform for constructing a project plan;

defining one or more project tasks associated with the project plan;

configuring the project plan to allow association between the project tasks and workflow services, wherein the workflow services include workflow components that are defined based on the associated project task; and

providing an automated coordination between the workflow services and at least one portion of the project plan;

at least one database that includes information associated with at least one workflow component and one project task; and

a user interface that is arranged to provide a user with an opportunity to interact with at least one of the project plan and the workflow services.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the workflow services are provided by a workflow management application that is arranged to automatically modify the workflow components based on dynamic changes to the project plan.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the workflow management application is further arranged to track a progress of each workflow component and report a tracking result to the project management application.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the workflow components include action flows comprising at least one composable action and constraints that are based on facts from a fact database.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the user'"'"'s interaction includes at least one of:

modifying at least one of the composable actions and the constraints;

adding new facts to the facts database;

modifying at least one of scheduling and staffing properties of the project tasks; and

receiving at least one of a report, an alert, and a request.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the workflow management application, the project management application, and the user interact over a network.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the project management application is further arranged to:

update the project plan based on a workflow tracking report; and

present the updated project plan employing a user-selectable view format when the tasks in the project are scheduled using a scheduling methodology for at least one of optimal resource, time utilization, and scope management.