Apparatus and method for forecasting control chart data

• US 20070179922A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Business Objects Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Business Objects SA (SAP SE)
• Inventors: MacGregor, John
• Application Number:
  US11/344,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179922A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to construct a control chart containing business data values and defined control limits. A forecast is then made for the control chart and the results of the forecast are then specified.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising executable instructions to:

construct a control chart characterizing business data values and control limits, wherein the business data values are selected from financial, human resource, marketing, sales, customer and supplier data;

identify a pattern in the control chart;

apply regression analysis to the control chart to produce a forecast;

compare the forecast to a control limit;

determine if the forecast exceeds the control limit; and

report an alert.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to apply regression analysis include executable instructions to identify linear and non-linear curves.

5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to construct a control chart include executable instructions to define said control limits.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to determine include executable instructions to visually depict a forecast.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to provide regression analysis information.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to generate an alert email.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to present an alert visual indicator.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

7. (canceled)