Providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation

• US 20070277148A1
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Venolia, Gina D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,971,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/101
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/366 using diagnostics G06F11/0703 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation is disclosed. A timeline portion of a lifespan of at least two artifacts is provided. In addition, a relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is also provided. The timeline portion of the lifespan of the at least two artifacts and the relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is then combined at a ligature. A browser is then provided for displaying the ligature, wherein the browser is capable of adding, removing or editing the timeline portion and the representation portion of the ligature.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation, said computer-implemented method comprising:

providing a timeline portion of a lifespan of at least two artifacts;

providing at least one relationship representation between said at least two artifacts;

combining said timeline portion of said lifespan of said at least two artifacts and said at least one relationship representation between said at least two artifacts into a ligature; and

providing a browser to display said ligature, wherein said browser is capable of adding, removing or editing said timeline portion and said relationship representation portion of said ligature.

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

utilizing said ligature to perform root-cause analysis of project development failure.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said at least one relationship representation further comprises:

recording said at least one relationship representation from a source-code control system related to said at least two artifacts; and

recording said at least one relationship representation from an interpersonal message related to said at least two artifacts.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein said recording said at least one relationship representation from a source-code control system further comprises:

recording a check-in;

recording the user that performed the check-in; and

recording the files affected by said check-in.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein said interpersonal message is selected from the group of messages including:

a work item, an email message, a check-in message.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said timeline portion comprises:

providing a start date for said at least two artifacts; and

providing an end date for said at least two artifacts.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 further comprising:

providing a first reference date for said at least two artifacts when said start date of said at least two artifacts is undefined; and

providing a last reference date for said at least two artifacts when said end date of said at least two artifacts is undefined.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing said ligature in a visual format.

9. A system for providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation, said system comprising:

a graph data structure for tracking at least two artifacts from development of a project application in a repository;

a lifespan definer for defining a lifetime for each of said at least two artifacts;

a ligature for representing at least one relationship representation related to said at least two artifacts, wherein said ligature combines said graph data structure and said lifespan definer to provide an integrated timeline for at least two of said artifacts and said at least one relationship representation related to said at least two artifacts; and

a browser for displaying said ligature.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said graph data structure further comprising:

an index of a work item database for said application;

an index of a source-code control system; and

an index of discussion lists related to said development of said project application.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said ligature is provided in a graphical format.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said browser is capable of adding, editing or removing one or more artifacts provided thereon.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said lifespan provides a first reference date and a last reference date for each of said at least two artifacts.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said ligature of said at least two artifacts is utilized to analyze project development failures.

15. Instructions on a computer-usable medium wherein the instructions when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for sensemaking in project development repositories, said computer-implemented method comprising:

generating a lifespan of at least two artifacts in a project development repository;

representing at least one link related to said at least two artifacts;

concatenating said lifespan of said at least two artifacts and said at least one link related to said at least two artifacts into a visual graphic; and

interact with said visual graphic via a browser, wherein said browser is capable of adding, removing or editing said timeline portion and said relationship representation portion of said visual graphic.

16. The instructions of claim 15 wherein said at least one link further comprises:

at least one link from a source-code control system related to said at least two artifacts, comprising;

a check-in;

a user that performed the check-in; and

any files affected by said check-in; and

at least one link from an interpersonal message related to said at least two artifacts.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16 wherein said interpersonal message is selected from the group of messages including:

a work item, an email message, a check-in message.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein said timeline portion comprises:

providing a start date for said at least two artifacts; and

providing an end date for said at least two artifacts.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18 further comprising:

providing a first reference date for said at least two artifacts when said start date of said at least two artifacts is undefined; and

providing a last reference date for said at least two artifacts when said end date of said at least two artifacts is undefined.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing said visual graphic.