Ambiguity Management for Configuration Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuration management systems face ambiguity in identifying and managing configuration items and transactions due to multiple CIs representing the same business object with different attributes, leading to difficulties in determining the correct CI for updates and transactions.

Innovation Solution

The system employs an ambiguity management application with modules to identify and resolve ambiguity by calculating an ambiguity index, sorting CIs, and modifying their operational states or attributes to determine valid configuration items and direct transactions accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple configuration items represent the same business object with different attributes, then the system can capture diverse configurations, but ambiguity arises in identifying the correct CI for transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration diversityVSAvoidtransaction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual ambiguity resolution with an automated computational system that calculates ambiguity indices and applies supersession rules. The system automatically identifies ambiguous CIs, computes their ambiguity indices based on attribute matching, and applies supersession to resolve conflicts, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an ambiguity index parameter to quantify the degree of ambiguity for each CI. By calculating this parameter based on attribute matching between CIs, the system can objectively identify and resolve ambiguous configurations. The supersession rule also introduces a priority parameter to determine which CI should be selected when ambiguity exists.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If similarly-identified CIs are maintained in the system, then comprehensive tracking is possible, but it becomes difficult to determine the correct CI for updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration trackingVSAvoidCI identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual CI identification with an automated system that calculates ambiguity indices and applies supersession rules. The system automatically determines which CI should receive transactions by computing objective metrics rather than relying on manual inspection, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an ambiguity management application as an intermediary between the configuration items and transactions. This intermediary automatically resolves ambiguity by calculating indices and applying supersession rules, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct manual identification of the correct CI.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If ambiguity resolution mechanisms are implemented, then transaction accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ambiguity management application serves multiple functions: it identifies ambiguous CIs, calculates ambiguity indices, determines supersession relationships, and applies resolution rules. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs ambiguity resolution automatically without requiring external intervention. The ambiguity management application self-services by detecting ambiguous CIs, computing their indices, and applying supersession rules autonomously, reducing the operational complexity of managing ambiguity in the configuration management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9912539B2Ambiguity measurement and management for configuration items

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 CA TECH INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for measuring and managing ambiguity among a plurality of configuration items residing in a configuration management database include determining for at least a first configuration item, at least a second configuration item such that a first set of attributes associated with the first configuration item and a second set of attributes associated with the second configuration item have at least one attribute with an identical value. As an indicator for the ambiguity, an ambiguity index for the first configuration item may be measured. One of the first configuration item and the second configuration item may be identified as an ambiguous configuration item. Upon identification, an operational state of the ambiguous configuration item or a set of one or more attributes associated with the ambiguous configuration item may be modified. The ambiguity for configuration item transactions may likewise be measured and managed to locate and resolve transaction ambiguity.