Process management system and method

Abstract

A process management system (10) for operating on a computer (102, 104, 106) includes a graphical user interface (14) for graphically presenting a process or a portion thereof to a user, a work element for graphically representing a task to be performed in the process, a work product for graphically representing a resultant product of performing a task, an agent for graphically representing an actor responsible for performing a task, and a link for graphically connecting the work element, work product, and agent indicative of inter-relationships therebetween. A knowledge repository (16) is further coupled to the computer for storing valuable information regarding the process.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A process management system for operating on a computer, comprising:

a graphical user interface for graphically presenting a process or a portion thereof to a user;

a work element for graphically representing a task to be performed in the process, said work element being expandable into an unlimited number of graphically representable sub-process levels;

a work product for graphically representing a resultant product of performing a task;

an agent for graphically representing an actor responsible for performing a task;

a link for graphically connecting said work element, work product, and agent indicative of inter-relationships therebetween; and

a knowledge repository coupled to said computer for storing valuable information regarding the process.

2. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said link includes a responsibility link for connecting an agent with a work element.

3. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said link includes an input/output link for connecting a work element with a work product.

4. The process management system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said input/output link includes a conditional input/output link.

5. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said link includes an iteration link indicative of an iterative relationship.

6. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of properties being associated with said work element.

7. The process management system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said properties associated with said work element includes a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with the performance of said work element.

8. The process management system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said properties associated with said work element includes a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to performing said work element.

9. The process management system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said properties associated with said work element includes a training trait for associating any training and educational class with the performance of said work element.

10. The process management system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said properties associated with said work element includes a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with the performance of said work element.

11. The process management system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said properties associated with said work element includes a reference trait for associating any reference material with the performance of said work element.

12. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of properties being associated with said work product.

13. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said work product.

14. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to making said work product.

15. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a training trait for associating any training and educational class with making said work product.

16. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a tool trait for associating any tool applicable to making said work product.

17. The process management system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said tool trait includes a launchable application.

18. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a template trait for associating a shell product that may be used as a starting point of making said work product.

19. The process management system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said template trait includes a launchable application.

20. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes an example trait for associating exemplary completed work products with said work product.

21. The process management system, as set forth in claim 20, wherein said example trait includes a launchable application.

22. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a reference trait for associating any reference material with said work product.

23. The process management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said properties associated with said work product includes a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said work product.

24. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of properties being associated with said agent.

25. The process management system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said properties associated with said agent includes a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said agent.

26. The process management system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said properties associated with said agent includes a training trait for associating any training and educational class with said agent.

27. The process management system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said properties associated with said agent includes a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said agent.

28. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface displays a plurality of windows containing graphical representations of said process.

29. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an exporter for exporting a defined process in a predetermined format.

30. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a process link for linking a defined process to another defined process or a portion thereof.

31. The process management system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising context-sensitive help.

32. A method for defining and managing a process on a computer, comprising the steps of:

graphically representing a task with a work element graphical object;

defining properties associated with said work element graphical object;

graphically representing a product resulting from performing a task with a work product graphical object;

defining properties associated with said work product graphical object;

graphically representing an actor with an agent graphical object;

defining properties associated with said agent graphical object; and

graphically linking said work element, work product, and agent graphical objects to indicate a process flow, including graphically representing an iterative link corresponding to an iterative relationship.

33. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of graphically representing said work element being expandable into an unlimited number of graphically representable sub-process levels.

34. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the graphically linking step includes the step of graphically representing a responsibility link for connecting an agent graphical object with a work element graphical object.

35. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the graphically linking step includes the step of graphically representing an input/output link for connecting a work element graphical object with a work product graphical object.

36. The method, as set forth in claim 35, wherein the graphically representing input/output link step includes the step of graphically representing a conditional input/output link.

37. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work element graphical object includes the step of defining a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with the performance of said work element graphical object.

38. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work element graphical object includes the step of defining a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to performing said work element graphical object.

39. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work element graphical object includes the step of defining a training trait for associating any training and educational class with the performance of said work element graphical object.

40. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work element graphical object includes the step of defining a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with the performance of said work element graphical object.

41. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work element graphical object includes the step of defining a reference trait for associating any reference material with the performance of said work element graphical object.

42. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said work product graphical object.

43. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to making said work product graphical object.

44. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a training trait for associating any training and educational class with making said work product graphical object.

45. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a tool trait for associating any tool applicable to making said work product.

46. The method, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the step of defining said tool trait includes the step of defining a launchable application.

47. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a template trait for associating a shell product that may be used as a starting point of making said work product graphical object.

48. The method, as set forth in claim 47, wherein the step of defining said template trait includes the step of defining a launchable application.

49. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining an example trait for associating exemplary completed work products with said work product graphical object.

50. The method, as set forth in claim 49, wherein the step of defining said example trait includes the step of defining a launchable application.

51. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a reference trait for associating any reference material with said work product graphical object.

52. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said work product graphical object includes the step of defining a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said work product graphical object.

53. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said agent graphical object includes the step of defining a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said agent graphical object.

54. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said agent graphical object includes a training trait for associating any training and educational class with said agent graphical object.

55. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the step of defining properties associated with said agent graphical object includes the step of defining a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said agent graphical object.

56. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of windows containing graphical representations of levels said process.

57. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of dialog windows for receiving property definitions of said work element, work product, and agent graphical objects.

58. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of exporting a defined process in a predetermined format.

59. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of defining a process link for linking a defined process to another defined process or a portion thereof.

60. The method, as set forth in claim 32, further comprising the step of providing context-sensitive help.

61. A method for defining and managing a process on a computer, comprising the steps of:

graphically displaying a defined process where tasks are graphically represented by a work element graphical object, products resulting from performing a task are graphically represented by a work product graphical object, actors are graphically represented with an agent graphical object, and said graphical objects are linked to indicate a process flow;

expanding a work element graphical object to drill down to a graphical representation of a sub-process; and

displaying properties associated with said work element, work product, and agent graphical objects.

62. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a standard trait associating any industry or organizational standard with the performance of said work element graphical object.

63. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to performing said work element graphical object.

64. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a training trait for associating any training and educational class with the performance of said work element graphical object.

65. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with the performance of said work element graphical object.

66. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a reference trait for associating any reference material with the performance of said work element graphical object.

67. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said work product graphical object.

68. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a technique trait for associating any technique applicable to making said work product graphical object.

69. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a training trait for associating any training and educational class with making said work product graphical object.

70. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a tool trait for associating any tool applicable to making said work product.

71. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of launching an application.

72. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a template trait for associating a shell product that may be used as a starting point of making said work product graphical object.

73. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying an example trait for associating exemplary completed work products with said work product graphical object.

74. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a reference trait for associating any reference material with said work product graphical object.

75. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said work product graphical object.

76. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a standard trait for associating any industry or organizational standard with said agent graphical object.

77. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a training trait for associating any training and educational class with said agent graphical object.

78. The method, as set forth in claim 61, wherein the property displaying step includes the step of displaying a policy trait for associating any governmental, industrial, and organizational policy with said agent graphical object.

79. The method, as set forth in claim 61, further comprising the step of exporting a defined process in a predetermined format.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related in general to the field of computer software programs. More particularly, the invention is related to a process management system and method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When faced with a complex task, careful consideration and planning are often required to analyze the problem and define the efforts and resources needed to successfully complete the task. Process management refers to the "direction, control, and coordination of work performed to develop a product or perform a service".sup.1. It involves the specification of who, what, and how requirements for completing tasks. Some companies manage their processes by documenting them in voluminous paper documents, which are difficult and cumbersome to revise, reprint, redistribute, and consult.

There are some existing software that attempt to provide an automated and computerized tool to perform process management, including Project Bridge Modeler by Applied Business Technology, Process Engineer by Learmonth & Burchett Management Systems, Methodology Administration Platform by Structured Solutions, Hyper Analyst by Bachman, and firstCASE by AGS Management Systems. These existing process management software tools share some common weaknesses, including a non-graphical expression of the modeled process, a restriction on the number of hierarchical levels allowable in the process, a lack of support for iterative processes, and a lack of support for storing process information in a repository for multi-user access.

.sup.1 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Copyright 1991 IEEE.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is a need for a process management system and method therefor that support textual and graphical expression of multiple levels of process detail, iterative processes and decision processing, and a repository of knowledge.

In accordance with the present invention, a process management system and method are provided which eliminates or substantially reduces the disadvantages associated with prior systems.

In one aspect of the invention, a process management system for operating on a computer includes a graphical user interface for graphically presenting a process or a portion thereof to a user, a work element for graphically representing a task to be performed in the process, a work product for graphically representing a resultant product of performing a task, an agent for graphically representing an actor responsible for performing a task, and a link for graphically connecting the work element, work product, and agent indicative of inter-relationships therebetween. A knowledge repository is further coupled to the computer for storing valuable information regarding the process.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for defining and managing a process on a computer includes the steps of graphically representing a task with a work element graphical object, defining properties associated with the work element graphical object, graphically representing a product resulting from performing a task with a work product graphical object, defining properties associated with the work product graphical object, graphically representing an actor with an agent graphical object, defining properties associated with the agent graphical object, and graphically linking the work element, work product, and agent graphical objects to indicate a process flow.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for defining and managing a process on a computer includes the steps of graphically displaying a defined process where tasks are graphically represented by a work element graphical object, products resulting from performing a task are graphically represented by a work product graphical object, actors are graphically represented with an agent graphical object, and said graphical objects are linked to indicate a process flow. A work element graphical object may be expanded to drill down to a graphical representation of a sub-process. Properties associated with the work element, work product, and agent graphical objects may also be displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a process management system and method constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2A to 2I are exemplary process notations of components and connecting links;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a major component, work element, and its minor components;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a major component, work product, and its minor components;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a major component, agent, and its minor components;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary dialog window prompting for process information;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary dialog window prompting for work element information;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary dialog window prompting for work product information;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary dialog prompting for process input/output information;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary dialog window prompting for responsibility information;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary graphical screen showing a bug correction process;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary graphical screen showing a bug correction subprocess;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary graphical screen showing an agent dialog window;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary graphical screen showing a work product dialog window; and

FIG. 15 is a simplified diagram showing a computer network connecting computers for accessing the process management system of the present invention and data files stored in a common shared memory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is (are) illustrated in FIGS. 1-15, like reference numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a process management system constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is shown indicated generally at 10. Process management system 10 uses a number of major components 12, including work element, work product, agent, and several connectivities, to represent or express a process. The process is presented to user(s) graphically through a graphical user interface (GUI) 14. A knowledge repository 16 is coupled to process management system 10 for storing knowledge acquired in formulating past processes, such as templates of existing processes. In one embodiment of the present invention, process management system 10 is developed using object-oriented software development technology. Process management system 10 may be written in the C++ programming language, and commercially available GUI class libraries Tools.h++ from Rogue Wave and/or StarView from Star Division may be used.

FIGS. 2A through 2I show the exemplary notations used to represent the various components of a process. FIG. 2A shows a work element represented by a rectangle, which is a task that is to be performed. FIG. 2B is a rectangle with a shadow, which represents a summary work element that has more process details and may be expanded to view those details. The process of expanding a component to view additional details is also called "drill down". In FIG. 2C, a rectangle with dash lines is a conditional work element, representing a task that is to be performed if a condition is met. FIG. 2D is a work product, represented by a circle as shown or an ellipse. A work product is the result of performing a task or work element. FIG. 2E is an agent, represented by a hexagon, which is the person, machinery, automation, or software that is responsible for the task.

The major components: work element, work product, and agent of the process are connected by links shown in FIGS. 2F through 2I. A line in FIG. 2F is a responsibility connection, a line with an arrow thereon in FIG. 2G denotes input or output, and a dashed line with an arrow in FIG. 2H is a conditional input/output. FIG. 2I shows a connection used to represent iteration.

Each of the major components, work element, work product, and agent, can be linked to many minor components or properties or traits, which further describe the methodology or process. FIG. 3 shows the exemplary minor components of a work element 20: standard 21, technique 22, training 23, reference 24, and policy 25. Standard 21 may specify the standard by which the work element is measured, such as the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) established by Software Engineering institute (SEI). Technique 22 may specify the techniques that can be used to perform the task described in the work element, such as brainstorming, modeling, prototyping, simulation, technical review, etc. Training 23 may set forth the training available to help perform the task in work element 20. Reference 24 may include a bibliography of articles, books, and technical magazines that are associated with the performance of work element 20. Policy 25 may specify the governmental or company policies related to the performance of work element 20.

FIG. 4 shows the exemplary minor components related to a work product 30. Standard 31 may describe the standard used to measure the quality of work product 31. Technique 32 may describe the techniques that can be used to produce work product 30, such as joint iterative rapid development, financial cost models, function-level risk assessment, or precedence diagraming. Training 33 may describe the training class, seminar, or materials available or required to train for producing work product 30. Tool 34 sets forth the tool(s) needed to produce or make work product 30. Template 35 provides a shell or pattern that can be used as a guide for the development of work product 30 to speed up the process. Representative examples of work product 30 or completed templates may be provided as examples 36 of work product 30. If a tool or template is associated with an application, such as WordPerfect, Word, and Lotus 1-2-3, for example, system 10 automatically launches the application. Reference 37 is a bibliography that may provide additional information regarding making work product 30. Policy 38 sets forth any policy or policies encompassing the act of producing work product 30.

Four exemplary minor components are shown related to agent 50. Training 51 sets forth the training available for the agent. For example, if an agent is a project manager, the associated training may include project management development, leadership development, and customer relations. For a software developer, the training may include programming logic, object oriented programming principles, and C++ programming language. Reference 52 may list articles, books, and other information related to agent 50. Policy 53 may list any policy that is related to agent 50. Finally, standard 54 may describe the standards by which agent 50 is compared and measured.

It is important to emphasize that although specific symbols and components have been set forth above, they serve as examples and do not limit the teachings of the present invention to those embodiments explicitly shown.

FIGS. 6-10 are simplified exemplary dialog windows used to formulate a methodology or process. Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary dialog window prompting for information on the process is shown. The name of the process, its owner, audience, purpose, and further descriptions may be specified. The owner of a process is the entity that owns the definition of the item. Accordingly, a process may be built from pieces of other processes. For example, a systems engineering process may reference start-up activities owned by a project management process. A special link may be used to tie processes together without making a new copy of the existing process. Information used to summarize a process is shown in the following table, some of which may not be shown in FIG. 6, in which A/N stands for alphanumeric:

    ______________________________________
    PROCESS
    ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTION         REQ    TYPE
    ______________________________________
    Name      Long title of the process
                                  Y      A/N
    Short Name
              Short title of the process
                                  Y      A/N
    Level     Level in the Methodology Architec-
                                  Y      A/N
              ture (e.g. Framework, Method, or
              Process)
    Status    Indication of the degree of complete-
                                  Y      A/N
              ness of the process
    Organization
              Name of the organization that owns
                                  Y      A/N
              the definition of the process
    Purpose   List of objectives/reasons for using
                                  Y      A/N
              this process
    Description
              Overview/definition of the process
                                         A/N
    Audience  Description of the targeted audience
                                         A/N
              for this process
    Context   Brief description of how this process
                                         A/N
              fits interrelates with other
              related material
    Contact   Where to go for additional informa-
                                         A/N
              tion
    Benefits  List of benefits of this process to
                                         A/N
              company and to the customer
    Scope     Brief description of the scope of the
                                         A/N
              process
    Version/Release
              Indication of the applicable version
                                         A/N
              and release
    ______________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________
    WORK ELEMENT
    ATTRIBUTE
            DESCRIPTION            REQ
                                      TYPE
                                          IF SUMMARY
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Name    Long title of the work element
                                   Y  A/N Specify
    Short Name
            Short title of the work element
                                      A/N Specify
    Level (NY)
            Whether the work element is summary or detail (leaf)
                                      Derived
                                          Derive
    Summary Type
            Whether the work element summarizes its children
                                      A/N Specify
    (?)     by function or flow (for summary elements only)
    Alias   List of customer/local aliases for the work element
                                      A/N Specify
    Purpose List of objectives/reasons for the work element
                                   Y  A/N Specify/Roll Up
    Description
            Short overview/definition of the work element
                                      A/N Specify
    Guideline
            List of guidelines for performing the work element
                                      A/N Specify
    Critical Success
            List of items that must be present for successful
                                      A/N Specify/Roll Up
    Factor  completion of the work element
    Procedure
            List of steps required for completing the work
                                      A/N N/A
            element; describes the "how-to" or "step-by-step"
            instructions (SEI) (for detail elements only)
    Standards
            List of specific standards considerations (e.g.
                                      A/N Specify
    Consideration
            considerations to ensure CMM Level 2)
    Required/
            Whether the work element is required or conditional
                                      Binary
                                          Roll Up
    Conditional
    Condition
            List of conditions under which the work element
                                      A/N N/A
            should be completed (for conditional elements only)
    Entry Criteria
            Conditions that must be met before the work element
                                      Derived
                                          Derive
    (?)     can be started (inputs in the proper status, agents
            trained, task dependencies satisfied, etc.)
    Exit Criteria (?)
            Conditions expected upon completion of the work
                                      Derived
                                          Derive
            element (outputs completed in the proper status;
            procedure completed, agents' responsibilities
            fulfilled, task dependencies satisfied, etc.)
    User-defined
            Attributes that can be assigned by the process author
                                      A/N Specify
    attributes (NY)
            that are process specific (one to three available)
    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________
    WORK PRODUCT
    ATTRIBUTE
            DESCRIPTION            REQ
                                      TYPE
                                          IF SUMMARY
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Name    Long title of the work product
                                   Y  A/N Specify
    Short Name
            Short title of the work product
                                      A/N Specify
    Level (NY)
            Whether the work element is summary or detail (leaf)
                                      Derived
                                          Derive
    Type    The category of work product (e.g. decision,
                                      A/N Specify/Roll Up
            condition, document, individual, etc.)
    Deliverable/Non-
            Whether work product can be delivered to the
                                      Binary
                                          Specify/Roll Up
    deliverable
            customer
    Internal/
            Indication of whether this work product is internally
                                      Binary
                                          Specify/Roll Up
    External
            produced or externally supplied
    Alias   List of customer/local aliases for the work product
                                      A/N Specify
    Purpose List of objectives/reasons for the work product
                                   Ynd
                                      A/N Specify/Roll Up
            the data represented by the work product
    Description
            Short overview/definition of the work product
                                      A/N Specify
    Guideline
            List of format and content guidelines for the work
                                      A/N Specify
            product
    Content List of the data contained in the work product with
                                      A/N N/A
            brief description of each
    Standards
            List of specific standards considerations (e.g.
                                      A/N Specify
    Consideration
            considerations to ensure CMM Level 2)
    User-defined
            Attributes that can be assigned by the process author
                                      A/N Specify
    attributes (NY)
            that are process specific (one to three available)
    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________
    AGENT
    ATTRIBUTE
           DESCRIPTION            REQ
                                     TYPE
                                         IF SUMMARY
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Name   Long title of the agent; participant's role (e.g.
                                  Yroject
                                     A/N Specify
           manager, data base administrator, etc.)
    Short Name
           Short title of the agent; acceptable abbreviation
                                     A/N Specify
    Level (NY)
           Whether the agent is summary or detail (leaf)
                                     Derived
                                         Derive
    Alias  List of customer/local aliases for the agent
                                     A/N Specify
    Description
           Short overview/definition of the agent
                                     A/N Specify
    Competency
           List of knowledge, skills and behaviors expected
                                     A/N Specify
           beneficial for performing in this role
    User-defined
           Attributes that can be assigned by the process author
                                     A/N Specify
    attributes (NY)
           that are process specific (one to three available)
    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________
    ATTRIBUTE
           DESCRIPTION               REQ
                                        TYPE
    __________________________________________________________________________
    INPUT
    Status Degree of completeness    Y  A/N
    Required/
           Whether the work product is required as an input under
                                     Yll
                                        Binary
    Conditional
           conditions
    Condition
           List of conditions under which the input should be
                                        A/Nected
           (for conditional work products only)
    OUTPUT
    Status Degree of completeness    Y  A/N
    Required/
           Whether the work product is required as an output under
                                     Yll
                                        Binary
    Conditional
           conditions
    Condition
           List of conditions under which the output should be
                                        A/Npleted
           (for conditional work products only)
    __________________________________________________________________________

    ______________________________________
    ATTRIBUTE  DESCRIPTION        REQ    TYPE
    ______________________________________
    RESPONSIBILITY
    Type       The responsibility/authority the
                                         A/N
               agent has for the work element
    Skill Level
               The degree of skill in this respon-
                                         A/N
               sibility the agent will require
               (e.g. novice, intermediate, expert)
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    ATTRIBUTE
             DESCRIPTION          REQ    TYPE
    ______________________________________
    TOOL
    Name     Title of the tool    Y      A/N
    Type     Generalized type of tool    A/N
             (e.g. spreadsheet, word processor, etc.)
    Description
             Short overview/definition of the tool
                                  Y      A/N
    Execution
             Execution requirements for
                                  Y
    Information
             launching the tool
    TECHNIQUE
    Name     Title of the technique
                                  Y      A/N
    Type     Generalized type of technique
                                         A/N
             (e.g. modeling, prioritization, etc.)
    Description
             Short overview/definition/
                                  Y      A/N
             abstract of the technique
    Execution
             Executable file/directory instructions for
                                  Y
    Information
             launching the associated tool
    TEMPLATE
    Name     Title of the template
                                  Y      A/N
    Explanation
             Brief description to make the
                                         A/N
             template clear and understandable
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
                                  Y
    Information
             instructions for launching the
             associated tool
    EXAMPLE
    Name     Name of the example  Y      A/N
    Explanation
             Brief description to make the
                                         A/N
             example clear and understandable
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
                                  Y
    Information
             instructions for launching the
             associated tool
    REFERENCE
    Name     Short identifier of the reference item
                                         A/N
    Description
             Due to the various pieces and formats
                                         A/N
             of bibliographic entries the following
             represents suggestions for the content
             of an entry
           Publication
                   Name of the book,     A/N
           Volume or
                   Volume or date of     A/N
           version periodical, or version
                   of the book/document
           Source  Body, organization, or
                                         A/N
                   publisher which provided
                   or published the material
           Article Title of the article or
                                         A/N
                   section referenced
           Author  Author(s) of the book,
                                         A/N
                   article or other
                   publication
           Content Brief description or key
                                         A/N
                   words for the content of
                   the material
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
    Information
             instructions for launching the
             associated tool
    TRAINING
    Name     Title or name of the training course
                                  Y      A/N
             of material
    Purpose  List of learning objectives for the
                                         A/N
             training course or material
    Description
             Summary/synopsis of the content of the
                                         A/N
             course or material
    Provider Company or organization that provides
                                  Y      A/N
             the training course or material
    Contact  Directions for ordering, enrollment,
                                         A/N
             or requesting more information about
             the course of material
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
    Information
             instructions for launching the
             associated tool
    POLICY
    Name     Short description of the policy; policy
                                  Y      A/N
             provides the law or regulations that
             govern, guide, or constrain
             operations (SEI)
    Type     Functional grouping         A/N
    Statement
             Policy statement     Y      A/N
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
                                  Y
    Information
             instrutions for launching the
             associated tool
    STANDARD
    Name     Short description of the standard;
                                  Y      A/N
             standard provides the operational
             definitions or acceptance criteria for
             final or interim products
             or process (SEI)
    Type     Functional grouping         A/N
    Statement
             Standard statement   Y      A/N
    Execution
             Executable file/directory and execution
                                  Y
    Information
             instructions for launching the
             associated tool
    ______________________________________

• Inventors
  Lehmann, Jean B.; Reid, Matthew B.; Hicks, Jaye D.; Berenbrock, Steven K.; Rucker, Brad L.; Boettcher, Scott M.;
• Assignee
  Electronic Data Systems Corporation (Plano, TX)
• Published
  Apr-7-1998
• Current US Classes:
  705/7
• Application #
  591920
• International Classes
  G06F 017/60
• Field of Search
  705/7 705/8 705/9 364/468.03 364/468.04 364/468.05 364/468.02 364/468.01 364/474.24 395/335 395/336 395/339 395/12 395/963 395/967 395/964 395/965
• Examiner
  McElheny, Jr.; Donald E.
• Agent
  Griebenow; L. Joy
• US Patent References:
  5212771
  5301301
  5310349
  5359523
  5430873
  5450540
  5481668
  5504851
  5552995
  5555406
  5572430
  5572436
  5598344
  5657460
  5664126