NETWORK BASED, INTERACTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20070288292A1
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Derek Gauger
• Original Assignee: Derek Gauger
• Inventors: Gauger, Derek
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06313 Resource planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An apparatus and method utilizing a network based interactive computer system for project management. Information modules are provided and accessible by authorized project team members to assign tasks, prepare documents, request collaboration for information and issue resolution. Smart electronic mail notifications are provided to enable quick response to notifications with the ability to attach documents. Each user can establish a personal portal defining the manner and which notifications relating to the project which each user will receive.

Claims

1. An interactive computer method for managing a project, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a plurality of information modules in an interactive computer system to control at least two or more of project planning, establishing and tracking project tasks, allowing access to documents and information in any module, providing issue resolution, reviewing project progress, tracking project finances, scheduling and attending meetings, requesting information, reporting project data, and controlling changes to project documents;

defining authorized individuals who have access to the interactive computer system providing electronic data interchange for a project;

linking at least two of the information modules for bi-directional data interchange between each module;

providing a project plan having a plurality of items;

linking each item to a set of tasks;

linking any item and task to an issue describing a problem and a call for action;

linking all of the information and actions associated with the issue to the tasks and the project plan item.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

using bi-directional electronic mail interaction between authorized individuals and the information modules.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic mail response capability for at least certain of the requests and notifications issued in any of the information modules allowing an authorized user to respond to the request and notification by direct electronic mail reply; and

the information modules automatically documenting the reply and any documents attached to the reply in the appropriate information module by updating the information in the appropriate information module.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic notepad for each authorized individual to make personal notes about any item of information in the network relating to the project; and

attaching the personal notes to the items of information for use only by the authorized individual.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

defining by a project leader a plurality of organizational categories; and

specifying the name of at least one authorized individual as the request recipient for each defined organization category.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of requesting information further comprises the steps of:

issuing a request for information;

forwarding the request for information to a designated request recipient;

providing the designated request recipient with the capability of one of replying directly to a requester of the request for information, delegating the request for information to a designated delegate recipient with the capability for the designated delegate recipient to respond directly to a requester of the request for information, and delegating the request for information to a designated delegate recipient and reviewing the response from the designated delegate recipient prior to delivering the response to the requestor.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

using bi-directional electronic mail interaction between authorized individuals and the information modules.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic mail response capability for at least certain of the requests and notifications issued in any of the information modules allowing an authorized user to respond to the request and notification by direct electronic mail reply; and

the information modules automatically documenting the reply and any documents attached to the reply in the appropriate information module by updating the conformation in the appropriate information module.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic notepad for each authorized individual to make personal notes about any item of information in the network relating to the project, and attaching the personal notes to the items of information for use only by the authorized individual.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

issuing a request for information;

forwarding the request for information to a designated request recipient;

providing the designated request recipient with the capability of one of replying directly to a requester of the request for information, delegating the request for information to a designated delegate recipient with the capability for the designated delegate recipient to respond directly to a requester of the request for information, and delegating the request for information to a designated delegate recipient and reviewing the response from the designated delegate recipient prior to delivering the response to the requestor.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

using bi-directional electronic mail interaction between authorized individuals and the information modules.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic mail response capability for at least certain of the requests and notifications issued in any of the information modules allowing an authorized user to respond to the request and notification by direct electronic mail reply; and

the information modules automatically documenting the reply and any documents attached to the reply in the appropriate information module by updating the conformation in the appropriate information module.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic notepad for each authorized individual to make personal notes about any item of information in the network relating to the project; and

attaching the personal notes to the items of information for use only by the authorized individual.