MULTI-SITE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• US 20080004925A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bangel, Matthew J., Martin, James A., Garrett, Andrew J.
• Application Number:
  US11/427,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004925A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06313 Resource planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06314 Calendaring for a resource
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A solution for managing a multi-site project is provided. In particular, a set of configuration records, each of which defines a unique workflow activity, is used to generate a workflow for a site in the multi-site project. To this extent, the workflow includes an activity record that is created based on a configuration record that defines a corresponding workflow activity to be performed for the site. The workflow also can be generated based on one or more condition configuration records, each of which defines one or more conditions related to a workflow activity. Data fields and/or values for the activity record(s) can be obtained from project and/or site information in addition to the configuration record. In this manner, the invention provides a flexible, comprehensive solution for managing a multi-site project.

Claims

1. A method of managing a multi-site project, the method comprising:

managing a set of configuration records, wherein each configuration record defines a unique workflow activity; and

generating a workflow for a site in the multi-site project, wherein the generating includes creating an activity record based on a configuration record that defines a corresponding workflow activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating further includes obtaining a condition configuration record for the corresponding workflow activity, wherein the condition configuration record defines at least one of:

a prerequisite condition or a post-processing condition for the corresponding workflow activity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the generating further includes scheduling the activity record based on the condition configuration record.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising managing a process at the site using the workflow, the process including a plurality of activities defined in the activity record.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the managing includes updating the activity record with performance information.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising managing a plurality of workflows for a plurality of sites in the multi-site project.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the managing a plurality of workflows includes generating a user interface for enabling a user to evaluate performance information for the multi-site project.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating an activity record is further based on at least one of:

site information for the site or project information for the multi-site project.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a system for managing a process at the site using the workflow, the process including a plurality of activities defined in the activity record.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the system for managing includes a system for updating the activity record with performance information.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a system for managing a plurality of workflows for a plurality of sites in the multi-site project.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising a system for obtaining at least one of:

site information for the site or project information for the multi-site project, wherein the activity record is further based on the at least one of;

site information for the site or project information for the multi-site project.

9. A system for managing a multi-site project, the system comprising:

a system for managing a set of configuration records, wherein each configuration record defines a unique workflow activity; and

a system for generating a workflow for a site in the multi-site project, wherein the generating includes creating an activity record based on a configuration record that defines a corresponding workflow activity.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system for generating further includes a system for obtaining a condition configuration record for the corresponding workflow activity, wherein the condition configuration record defines at least one of:

a prerequisite condition or a post-processing condition for the corresponding workflow activity.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system for generating further includes a system for scheduling the activity record based on the condition configuration record.

16. A computer program comprising program code stored on a computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer system to implement a process for managing a multi-site project, the process comprising:

managing a set of configuration records, wherein each configuration record defines a unique workflow activity; and

generating a workflow for a site in the multi-site project, wherein the generating includes creating an activity record based on a configuration record that defines a corresponding workflow activity.

17. The computer program of claim 16, wherein the generating further includes obtaining a condition configuration record for the corresponding workflow activity, wherein the condition configuration record defines at least one of:

a prerequisite condition or a post-processing condition for the corresponding workflow activity.

18. The computer program of claim 17, wherein the process further comprises scheduling the activity record based on the condition configuration record.

19. The computer program of claim 16, wherein the process further comprises managing a process at the site using the workflow, the process including a plurality of activities defined in the activity record.

20. The computer program of claim 16, wherein the process further comprises managing a plurality of workflows for a plurality of sites in the multi-site project.

21. The computer program of claim 16, wherein the creating an activity record is further based on at least one of:

site information for the site or project information for the multi-site project.

22. A method of generating a system for managing a multi-site project, the method comprising:

providing a computer system operable to;

manage a set of configuration records, wherein each configuration record defines a unique workflow activity; and

generate a workflow for a site in the multi-site project, wherein the generating includes creating an activity record based on a configuration record that defines a corresponding workflow activity.