Configurable Project Hierarchies for Flexible Issue-Type Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing issue tracking systems struggle with managing and tracking different types of issues due to the lack of flexibility in defining project hierarchies, leading to difficulties in managing relationships between issue types.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for configuring a customizable project hierarchy by defining and managing issue types and hierarchy levels, allowing users to create, delete, and query issue type hierarchies, enabling flexible structuring of work based on specific project needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users are allowed to create and use different issue types with associated data and workflows, then flexibility in managing projects is improved, but difficulty in managing issues and relationships between them increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in managing projectsVSAvoiddifficulty in managing issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the issue tracking system into distinct issue types (e.g., bugs, features, tasks) with standardized templates for each type. This segmentation allows users to create and manage different issue types independently while maintaining overall system organization, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces standardized templates and hierarchical structures as intermediaries between users and the complex issue tracking system. These templates serve as mediators that simplify the creation and management of issues while preserving the ability to handle diverse issue types, thus reducing management difficulty while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a configurable project hierarchy with arbitrary numbers of hierarchy levels is implemented, then adaptability to different project needs is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different project needsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic hierarchy system where the number and structure of hierarchy levels can be configured and adjusted based on specific project needs. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different project requirements without being fixed in structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal hierarchical structure that can serve multiple project types and configurations. The same underlying system framework supports arbitrary numbers of hierarchy levels across different projects, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12430324B2Issue tracking systems and methods for a configurable project hierarchy

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 ATLASSIAN PTY LTD

AI summary

A computer implemented method for maintaining a configurable project hierarchy. The method comprises creating a new hierarchy level data record and storing the new hierarchy level data record in a data store. The method further comprises receiving a request to associate a particular issue type with the new hierarchy level and, in response, creating a new hierarchy/issue type association data record including an identifier of the particular issue type and an identifier of the new hierarchy level identifier.