Methodology framework and delivery vehicle

• US 8,645,420 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: DeSchryver, Elizabeth, O'Riordan, Deirdre C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mofiz, Apu
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAYE, CHELCIE L
• Application Number:
  US10/634,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20050034098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,836 Days
• Field of Search: 707/778, 707/792
• US Class Current: 707/778
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A hierarchical framework for a library of software process management methodologies includes at a first level of hierarchy, a collection of activities that describe the process, wherein each activity requires the use of a unique skill set domain. At a second level of hierarchy, the framework includes a collection of tasks that describe the activity. At a third level of hierarchy, the framework includes a collection of steps that describe the task. For each methodology, a portion of the activities are categorized across a set of taxonomies common to a plurality of methodologies contained in the library such that the portion of activities is reusable for the plurality of methodologies.

Claims

1. A method for mapping a knowledge base into a hierarchical framework to facilitate reusability of task objects between related work domains, the method comprising:

defining a set of taxonomies comprising members of a universe of activity objects for a first methodology;

organizing a set of task objects of singular granularity into object groups having in common a relation to one member of the taxonomy; and

publishing onto an application server for access by a user through an electronic display a plurality of documents having a hierarchical linkage, wherein a highest level document displays the set of taxonomies with links to a set of second level documents, each second level document representing an activity object instantiating a single member of the taxonomy, the second level document having links to a group of third-level documents, each third level document representing a task objects instantiating a single task object of singular granularity;

receiving from the user, through the electronic display, a methodology mapping selection for a plurality of methodologies, including the first methodology and a second methodology; and

mapping, with the methodology mapping selection, each methodology of the plurality of methodologies to a selection of a set of taxonomies from the user, whereby an instantiation of an activity object from the first methodology may be reused for the second methodology.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity objects are established by defining a first set of taxonomies sharing in common a first characteristic inherent to each member in the first set of taxonomies;

and defining a second set of taxonomies sharing in common a second characteristic inherent to each member in the second set of taxonomies;

the first set of characteristics being independent of the second set of characteristics; and

associating with an activity object one member of the first set of taxonomies and one member of the second set of taxonomies.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first characteristic is a time sequence, and the second characteristic is a skill set.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity objects correspond to activities that describe a process of one of the methodologies, wherein each activity object includes role information that identifies skill sets needed to complete a task for the activity;

wherein the task objects corresponds to tasks that describe each activity; and

wherein a set of steps describe each task.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the activities include:

Human Resources, Unit Management, Finance and Reporting, Performance Measurement, Process and Quality Management, Service Management, Technology Enablement, and Facilities and Equipment.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the activities include:

analyzing, designing, building and testing application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the activities correspond to a group of processes that are usually performed by a team of people with related skill sets, the group of processes including:

project management, application, content, technical architecture, training and performance support, business process, organization, facilities and equipment, and service introduction;

wherein for each of the group of processes at least one activity corresponds to one of the group comprising;

analyzing, designing, building, and testing; and

wherein the task objects of singular granularity comprise a single outcome.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein one object group is associated with planning the implementation of an application development project for one of the methodologies, and defining a set of tasks for deploying the application development project.

9. The method of claim 1, where the highest level document represents one of the methodologies mapped to one of the selections of a set of taxonomies;

where each of the second level documents are activity documents that identify activity objects for one of the respective taxonomies from the set of taxonomies; and

where each of the third level documents are task documents that identify task objects for one of the activity documents.

10. The method of claim 9, where each of the activity documents include an activity planning chart that contains graphically depicted tasks for the task objects.

11. The method of claim 10, where each of the activity documents employ colors to designate the roles for the tasks associated with the activities objects.

12. The method of claim 9, where each of the task documents include:

a task planning chart that contains process steps for each of the tasks; and

a list of the principle objectives and outcomes for each of the tasks.