Project resource plans

• US 20070260502A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Viton, Nichol, Motwani, Rahul, Kayahara, Roy, Carnathan, Jesse
• Application Number:
  US11/417,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20070260502A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06313 Resource planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Project management software allows for the creation of resource plans, where resources are allocated to projects without assigning tasks to the resources. Resource plans allow for a proposed or committed status for each resource. A resource plan may be used in conjunction with an associated project plan, allowing resources to be “reserved” to assigning tasks. Resource utilization calculations may be performed using either (or both) a detailed project plan or a resource plan.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for associating resources with a project within a project management software application, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of resources to associate with the project without assigning tasks to any of the plurality of resources;

receiving a plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources, wherein each of the numeric allocations corresponds to a fixed period of time;

associating a booking type with each resource, wherein the booking type includes one of confirmed and proposed; and

receiving a plurality of task assignments, wherein each task is assigned to one of the plurality of resources.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

calculating resource utilization values for each of the plurality of resources, wherein resource utilization is calculated using the plurality of numeric allocations.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

receiving a transition date;

calculating resource utilization values prior to the transition date using the plurality of task assignments; and

calculating resource utilization values following the transition date using the plurality of numeric allocations.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resources comprises named individuals.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resources comprises one of a job title and a needed skill.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the fixed period of time comprises one of a day, a week, and a month.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the numeric allocations comprise time values.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the numeric allocations comprise full-time equivalent values.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

creating a published version of the plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources; and

allowing further changes to an unpublished version of the plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources.

10. A system for testing software, wherein the system comprises:

a processor;

a memory, storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions comprise;

receiving a resource to associate with a project without assigning tasks to the resource;

receiving a plurality of numeric allocations for the resource, wherein each of the numeric allocations corresponds to a fixed period of time;

associating a booking type with the resource, wherein the booking type includes one of confirmed and proposed;

receiving a plurality of task assignments, wherein each task is assigned to at least one of the plurality of resources;

receiving a transition date;

calculating resource utilization values prior to the transition date using the plurality of task assignments; and

calculating resource utilization values following the transition date using the plurality of numeric allocations.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource is a named individual.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource is one of a job title and a needed skill.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the fixed period of time comprises one of a day, a week, and a month.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the numeric allocations comprise time values.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the numeric allocations comprise full-time equivalent values.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a network interface enabling communication between the processor and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer includes a data store; and

wherein the instructions further comprise;

sending the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource to the data store via the network interface.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further comprise:

checking out the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource from the data store for exclusive editing;

modifying the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource; and

checking in the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource to the data store.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise:

creating a published version of the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource; and

allowing further changes to an unpublished version of the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource.

19. A computer-implemented method for modifying a resource plan associated with a project, the method comprising:

retrieving the resource plan from a server;

receiving a resource for allocation to the resource plan, wherein the resource has no tasks assigned;

receiving a selection of a booking type for the allocated resource, wherein the booking type comprises one of proposed and committed;

receiving a numeric allocation for the allocated resource, wherein the numeric allocation is associated with a fixed period of time;

saving the modified resource plan to the server; and

receiving a request to publish the resource plan.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising:

retrieving a project plan from the server, wherein the project plan is associated with the resource plan;

assigning a task to the resource for the project plan;

saving the modified project plan to the server.