Virtual workspace for project management coordination

• US 20080172625A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Montgomery, Christopher K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,195,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063116 Schedule adjustment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for managing a project. A board having rows and columns forming a grid of cells is first created or accessed. Security rules may be assigned to each of the cells. A number of task files each containing information about one of the project tasks are then created. Authorized persons may access the board and the task files with computers linked to the host computer and place representations of selected task files within selected cells of the board. Authorized persons may view a representation of the board with the selected task files shown within the selected cells or move the selected task files from cell to cell to indicate progress made on the tasks.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a project having a number of tasks, the method comprising the steps:

accessing a project management space including a number of sub-spaces;

accessing a task file containing information about one of the tasks;

storing the project management space and the task file in computer-accessible memory; and

accessing the project management space and associating the task file with one of the sub-spaces.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of displaying a representation of the project management space with the task file shown associated with one of the sub-spaces.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the representation of the project management space looks like a whiteboard having rows and columns forming a grid.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the rows correspond to phases of the tasks and the columns correspond to people or groups who will be performing the tasks.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of assigning security rules to each of the sub-spaces to govern access to the sub-spaces.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of assigning security rules to the task file to govern access to the task file.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of moving the task file from one sub-space to another to indicate progress made on the task associated with the task file.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, further including the step of providing an alert when the task file is associated with one of the sub-spaces or is moved to another sub-space.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of writing additional information into the task file.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of linking the task file to additional information not contained in the task file.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the project is selected from the group consisting of a software development project, a hardware development project, a sporting event, a fund raiser, a civic event, a political event, a social event, a religious event, and a school event.

12. A computer-implemented method for managing a project having a number of tasks, the method comprising the steps:

creating a board having rows and columns forming a grid of cells;

assigning security rules to each of the cells to govern access to the cells;

creating a number of task files each containing information about one of the tasks;

storing the board and task files in computer-accessible memory;

accessing the board and the task files and placing a representation of a selected task file within a selected cell;

displaying a representation of the board with the selected task file shown within the selected cell; and

moving the selected task file from the selected cell to indicate progress made on the task associated with the selected task file.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the rows correspond to phases of the tasks and the columns correspond to people or groups who will be performing the tasks.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, further including the step of providing an alert when the representation of the selected task file is placed within the selected cell or when the selected task file is moved from the selected cell.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12, further including the step of linking the task files to additional information.

16. The method as set forth in claim 12, further including the step of recording each time the task files are accessed, the representation of the selected task file is placed within the selected cell, and when the selected task file is moved from the selected cell.

17. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for managing a project having a number of tasks, the computer program comprising:

a code segment for creating a board having rows and columns forming a grid of cells;

a code segment for creating a number of task files each containing information about one of the tasks;

a code segment for permitting users to access the board and the task files and to place a representation of a selected task file within a selected cell;

a code segment for generating a viewable representation of the board with the representation of the selected task file shown within the selected cell; and

a code segment for permitting the users to move the representation of the selected task file from the selected cell to indicate progress made on the task associated with the selected task file.

18. The computer program as set forth in claim 17, further including a code segment for assigning security rules to each of the cells to govern access to the cells.

19. The computer program as set forth in claim 17, further including a code segment for providing an alert when the users place the selected task file within the selected cell or move the representation of the selected task file from the selected cell.

20. The computer program as set forth in claim 17, further including a code segment for recording each time the board and the task files are accessed.