Analytics Application for Software Development Process Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software development platforms lack visual analytics and metrics that facilitate deeper insights into software development processes, making it difficult for users to improve work distribution, efficiency, and quality.

Innovation Solution

An analytics application is provisioned within the software development platform, extracting raw data, generating performance metrics, and embedding visualizations into the user interface using a schema, functions, and dashboard templates, enabling bulk data transformation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If metadata is maintained in databases on the software development platform, then data storage and management are enabled, but visual analytics and insights into software development processes are not accessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of analytics informationVSAvoidcomplexity of data visualization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary analytics layer that sits between the existing metadata databases and the user interface. This analytics layer includes analytics objects, visualizations, and dashboards that transform raw metadata into actionable insights without modifying the underlying data storage system. The intermediary converts complex database queries into simplified visual representations accessible through the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates visual copies and representations of the underlying metadata through dashboards, charts, and visualizations. Instead of directly accessing complex database structures, users interact with simplified visual copies that represent the same information in an accessible format. These visual copies include performance metrics, analytics dashboards, and graphical representations of software development process data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If disparate systems are involved in the software development lifecycle, then comprehensive data coverage is achieved, but convenient access to integrated analytics is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of software development dataVSAvoidease of accessing analytics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal analytics platform that can access and visualize data from multiple disparate systems involved in the software development lifecycle. The analytics layer is designed to work with various data sources including version control systems, issue trackers, CI/CD pipelines, and project management tools through a unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows users to access analytics from different systems through a single consistent mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the analytics functionality into modular components including analytics objects, visualizations, dashboards, and metrics that can be independently configured and combined. This segmentation allows the system to handle data from disparate sources by processing each source through standardized analytical components, making the integrated analytics more accessible and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If raw analytics data is extracted and processed, then performance metrics can be generated, but additional processing steps increase system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of performance metricsVSAvoidcomplexity of data processing pipeline
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining analytics objects, metrics, and visualizations that can be applied to raw data. The system includes pre-configured analytics templates and processing logic that automatically transform raw metadata into meaningful performance metrics. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of real-time processing by having analytical transformations ready in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The analytics system is designed to automatically extract, process, and visualize data without requiring manual intervention for each analytical operation. The analytics layer self-services by automatically querying underlying databases, processing raw analytics data through defined functions, and generating visualizations. This automation reduces the apparent complexity for users while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11740897B2Methods for software development and operation process analytics and devices thereof
Publication Date: 2023.08.29 COPADO INC
  • US11740897B2 patent drawing
  • US11740897B2 patent drawing
  • US11740897B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and computing devices are disclosed that provision an analytics application in an instance of a software development platform. The analytics application comprises a schema, one or more functions, and one or more dashboard templates. Raw analytics data is extracted according to the schema. The raw analytics data is logged by the software development platform in one or more databases and is based on monitored activity associated with a software development process performed on the software development platform. The one or more functions are then applied to the extracted raw analytics data to generate performance metrics for the software development process. The one or more dashboard templates are populated based on the performance metrics and the populated one or more dashboard templates are embedded into a user interface of the software development platform to facilitate visualization of the raw analytics data.