Computer-implemented task management system

• US 6,678,714 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taskserver Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Taskserver.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Olapurath, John, Sodlapur, Rajiv, Vlemmings, Roel
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatri, Anil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US09/438,446
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 709/104, 705/8, 705/9
• US Class Current: 718/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A task management system including a task server linking a plurality of system users, including at least one task definer, at least one task requester and at least one task fulfiller over a communications link. The task server includes a task processor for processing tasks, a task memory for storing task definitions and one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for interfacing the system users to the task server to facilitate operation of said task processing system. The GUIs include task view interfaces, task fulfiller interfaces, which are used by task requesters and task fulfillers to request and fulfill tasks, respectively. The GUIs also include a plurality of administrative editor interfaces, which are used by task definers to define, group and sequence tasks.

Claims

1. An automated method for assigning, routing and monitoring a plurality of tasks to be performed to complete a desired project, said method comprising the acts of:

defining a plurality of tasks that may be performed to complete a project, at least one of said plurality of tasks having a condition precedent;

selecting certain tasks from the plurality of defined tasks that need to be completed to accomplish the desired project;

automatically sequencing the selected certain tasks in an order in which the tasks need to be completed;

automatically identifying the certain tasks that have a condition precedent;

assigning a deadline date on each selected and sequenced task to be completed;

automatically assigning each of the tasks to an automated task fulfiller;

initiating a first task in said sequenced order by said automated task fulfiller;

automatically monitoring the completion of said first and subsequent sequenced tasks by said automated task fulfiller;

automatically ascertaining that a condition precedent in one selected sequenced task has been completed before a subsequent selected sequenced task is initiated by said automated task fulfiller;

determining by said automated task fulfiller a preselected number of days before said deadline date that an assigned and sequenced task is outstanding; and

automatically issuing a notification by said automated task fulfiller if the automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said act of defining a plurality of tasks that may be performed to complete a project further includes defining at least one task group, said at least one defined task group including a plurality of tasks related to the completion of a predetermined project.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of automatically indicating by said automated task fulfiller that all the tasks for the project have been completed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of automatically issuing a notification by said automated task fulfiller if the automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date includes the act of notifying a supervisor that said automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date.

5. The Method of claim 1 wherein the act of automatically issuing a notification by said automated task fulfiller if the automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date includes the act of automatically sending a message a preselected number of days before the deadline date said message indicating that the deadline date is approaching.

6. An automated method for assigning, routing and monitoring a plurality of tasks to be performed to complete a desired project, said method comprising the acts of:

defining a plurality of tasks that may be performed to complete a project, at least one of said plurality of tasks having a condition precedent;

selecting certain tasks from the plurality of defined tasks that need to be completed to accomplish the desired project;

automatically sequencing the selected certain tasks in an order in which the tasks need to be completed;

defining at least one task group, said at least one defined task group including a plurality of sequenced tasks related to the completion of a predetermined project

automatically identifying the certain tasks that have a condition precedent;

assigning a deadline date on each selected and sequenced task to be completed;

automatically assigning each of the tasks to an automated task fulfiller;

initiating a first task in said sequenced order by said automated task fulfiller;

automatically monitoring the completion of said first and subsequent sequenced tasks by said automated task fulfiller;

automatically ascertaining that a condition precedent in one selected sequenced task has been completed before a subsequent selected sequenced task is initiated by said automated task fulfiller;

determining by said automated task fulfiller a preselected number of days before said deadline date that an assigned and sequenced task is outstanding; and

automatically issuing a notification by said automated task fulfiller if the automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date.

7. An automated method for assigning, routing and monitoring a plurality of tasks to be performed to complete a desired project, said method comprising the acts of:

defining a plurality of tasks that may be performed to complete a project;

selecting certain tasks from the plurality of defined tasks that need to be completed to accomplish the desired project;

automatically sequencing the selected certain tasks in an order in which the tasks need to be completed;

assigning a deadline date on each selected and sequenced task to be completed;

automatically assigning each of the tasks to an automated task fulfiller;

initiating a first task in said sequenced order by said automated task fulfiller;

automatically monitoring the completion of said first and subsequent sequenced tasks by said automated task fulfiller;

determining by said automated task fulfiller a preselected number of days before said deadline date that an assigned and sequenced task is outstanding; and

automatically issuing a notification by said automated task fulfiller if the automated task fulfiller has not been able to complete the assigned task by the deadline date.