Automated management of development project files over a network

• US 20040162750A1
• Filed: 06/13/2001
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Motoyama, Tetsuro
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063118 Staff planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment

Abstract

A technique is provided for managing a project schedule for a development project based on the aggregation of individual task schedules, where the individual task schedules are updated based on inspection results from two or more inspectors specified to inspect a project task product. The schedules, and consequently the updates thereof, are governed by a policy specifying that a task cannot be partially completed. The inspection results are linked to the individual task schedules, which are linked to the associated project schedule.

Another technique is provided, for managing project files over a network. Acceptance of a project proposal triggers the creation of individual sites for each individual specified to contribute to the project, where individual task schedules and draft project files can be linked to the individual site. Furthermore, the individual sites are linked to a project site and associated file directories are created and also linked to the project site.

Claims

1. A method for managing a schedule for a project comprising the steps of:

receiving inspection results over a network from two or more authorized task inspectors, wherein the authorized task inspectors were selected to perform an inspection of a project task assigned to a particular individual;

based on the inspection results, automatically updating a task schedule associated with the particular individual assigned to perform the project task, wherein the project task is not completed unless all inspection results indicate that the project task is completed; and

automatically updating a management schedule by providing a summary of aggregated tasks associated with the project, based on one or more updated task schedules.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein an attribute of the task schedule is defined by a policy specifying that a project task cannot be partially completed and the step of automatically updating the task schedule is performed according to the policy.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of:

upon completion of a project task, storing a product of the project task in a database wherein access to the product by one or more authorized individuals is regulated.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of storing the product of the project task includes the step of storing the product for accessing over a packet-based network.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising a step of:

creating a hyperlink in a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file for accessing the project task product.

6. A method for managing project files over a network comprising the steps of:

receiving project initiation information that comprises a description of a project and of one or more individuals performing a project task; and

upon approval of the project,

storing in a database the initiation information to indicate that the project is approved, wherein the initiation information is accessible over the network from a project site;

creating a directory of project files that are associated with the project;

storing the directory of project files in the database;

linking the directory of project files to the project site;

creating an individual site for each of the one or more individuals performing a project task, wherein individual draft project files stored in the database are linked to each of the associated individual sites; and

linking the one or more individual sites to the project site.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein completion of a draft project file is defined as passing inspection from at least two authorized inspectors, the method further comprising the steps of:

upon completion of an individual draft project file, changing the status of the draft project file to an official project file;

storing the official project file in the database, wherein access to the official project file by one or more authorized individuals is regulated; and

linking the official project file to the project site.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

storing the task schedule in the database; and

linking the task schedule to the individual site associated with the individual for which the task schedule was received.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

storing the task schedule in the database; and

linking the task schedule to the project site.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

compiling project files associated with one or more file types;

creating one or more indexes of project files wherein each index is associated with one of the file types;

storing the one or more indexes of project files in the database; and

linking the one or more indexes of project files to the directory of project files.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

based on one or more task schedules, automatically updating a management schedule comprising an aggregation of tasks associated with the project; and

linking the management schedule to the project site.

12. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for generating a schedule for a project, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving inspection results over a network from two or more authorized task inspectors, wherein the authorized task inspectors were selected to perform an inspection of a project task assigned to a particular individual;

based on the inspection results, automatically updating a task schedule associated with the particular individual assigned to perform the project task, wherein the project task is not completed unless all inspection results indicate that the project task is completed; and

automatically updating a management schedule by providing a summary of aggregated tasks associated with the project, based on one or more updated task schedules.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein an attribute of the task schedule is defined by a policy specifying that a project task cannot be partially completed and wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the step of automatically updating the task schedule according to the policy.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 12 whereupon completion of a project task, execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform a step of storing a product of the project task in a database whereby access to the product by one or more authorized individuals is regulated and provided over a packet-based network.

15. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing project files over a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving project initiation information that comprises a description of a project and of one or more individuals performing a project task; and

upon approval of the project,

storing in a database the initiation information to indicate that the project is approved, wherein the initiation information is accessible over the network from a project site;

creating a directory of project files that are associated with the project;

storing the directory of project files in the database;

linking the directory of project files to the project site;

creating an individual site for each of the one or more individuals performing a project task, wherein individual draft project files stored in the database are linked to each of the associated individual sites; and

linking the one or more individual sites to the project site.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein completion of a draft project file is defined as passing inspection from at least two authorized task inspectors and wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

storing the task schedule in the database; and

linking the task schedule to the project site.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

automatically updating a management schedule comprising an aggregation of tasks associated with the project based on one or more task schedules; and

linking the management schedule to the project site.

18. A computer system comprising:

a network interface; and

one or more processors connected to the network interface, the one or more processors configured for

receiving inspection results over a network from two or more authorized task inspectors, wherein the authorized task inspectors were selected to perform an inspection of a project task assigned to a particular individual;

based on the inspection results, automatically updating a task schedule associated with the particular individual assigned to perform the project task, wherein the project task is not completed unless all inspection results indicate that the project task is completed; and

automatically updating a management schedule by providing a summary of aggregated tasks associated with the project, based on one or more updated task schedules.

19. The computer system of claim 19 whereupon completion of a project task the one or more processors are further configured for storing a product of the project task in a database whereby access to the product by one or more authorized individuals is regulated and provided over a packet-based network.

20. A computer system comprising:

a network interface; and

one or more processors connected to the network interface, the one or more processors configured for

receiving project initiation information that comprises a description of a project and of one or more individuals performing a project task; and

upon approval of the project,

storing in a database the initiation information to indicate that the project is approved, wherein the initiation information is accessible over the network from a project site;

creating a directory of project files that are associated with the project;

storing the directory of project files in the database;

linking the directory of project files to the project site;

creating an individual site for each of the one or more individuals performing a project task, wherein individual draft project files stored in the database are linked to each of the associated individual sites; and

linking the one or more individual sites to the project site.

21. The computer system of claim 20 wherein completion of a draft project file is defined as passing inspection from at least two authorized task inspectors and wherein the one or more processors are further configured for

receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

storing the task schedule in the database; and

linking the task schedule to the project site.

22. The computer system of claim 20 wherein the one or more processors are further configured for receiving a task schedule for each individual performing a project task;

based on one or more task schedules, automatically updating a management schedule comprising an aggregation of tasks associated with the project; and

linking the management schedule to the project site.