Automated Web-Based Collaborative Planning System for Program Schedules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for planning large multi-million dollar projects, such as the event-based Integrated Master Plan/Integrated Master Schedule (IMP/IMS) approach, are labor-intensive, variable, and often produce poorly managed or unrealistic schedules due to the lack of integrity in task definition and linkage, especially when relying on manual methods like sticky notes and Microsoft Project.
Innovation Solution
An automated web-based system, the Integrated Planning Solution (IPS), facilitates collaborative planning among multiple teams by providing structured web-based forms for specifying tasks, defining integrated product teams, and validating data to generate a networked program schedule efficiently and effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual methods like sticky notes and Microsoft Project are used for planning, then the planning process is flexible and easy to operate, but the planning process becomes labor-intensive, variable, and produces schedules with poor integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical planning methods (sticky notes, yarn, physical whiteboard work) with an automated computer-based system that electronically creates, manages, and validates program schedules. The system automatically generates IMP/IMS schedules, validates data integrity, and eliminates manual transcription errors, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manual operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-validation of schedule data integrity, automatically checking for logical errors, incomplete tasks, and scheduling conflicts without requiring manual review. The system self-corrects and validates its own output, reducing the need for labor-intensive manual verification while maintaining high schedule quality.
2Device complexity
If manual planning methods are used, then the system complexity is low, but the planning process is labor-intensive and produces poor quality schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms that continuously validate schedule data integrity, check for logical inconsistencies, and provide real-time corrections. The system feedback loops ensure that only valid, high-quality schedules are generated, eliminating the need for complex manual validation processes while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameters of the planning process from manual to automated, transforming the nature of schedule creation. By implementing computer-generated schedules with automated validation, the system achieves high reliability without requiring excessive complexity in manual procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ad hoc planning techniques are used, then the planning process is flexible, but it is expensive and produces poorly managed schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated validation and structure generation before final schedule creation. By pre-validating data formats, checking logical consistency, and establishing proper task hierarchies in advance, the system eliminates time-consuming manual corrections later in the process, reducing overall planning time while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated web-based system and application manages the creation, sharing and validation of program schedule data collaboratively among multiple teams in a structured manner to generate a networked program schedule such as for an events-based IMP/IMS. The Integrated Planning Solution (IPS) application provides a structured approach to large events-based planning that is time and cost efficient, produces well-managed, adequate and realistic schedules, is repeatable from project-to-project and can leverage information from previous projects. A focus of the IPS application is collaborative planning of the ‘accomplishment criteria’ for level 3 in an events-based program.