Graphical Top-Down Planning System for Visual Hierarchy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current top-down planning methods separate tree creation and value distribution, lack visual representation, and do not allow for easy adjustments or visual comparisons between top-down and bottom-up planning structures, making it difficult to manage and modify project hierarchies effectively.
Innovation Solution
A graphical top-down planning system that visually represents planning structures within a user interface, allowing for the generation of hierarchies, editing, linking of nodes, visual comparison, and saving of templates, enabling intuitive management and adjustment of project breakdowns by displaying nodes and their relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional top-down planning methods are used to create project hierarchies, then the planning structure can be established, but the process lacks visual representation and is difficult to manage and modify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of the planning hierarchy using nodes and connecting lines that represent the hierarchical relationships. Each node is a visual representation of a project element, and the connecting lines visually depict the parent-child relationships, providing a graphical copy of the abstract planning structure that is easy to manage and modify.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional text-based or abstract planning hierarchy into a two-dimensional visual display with nodes positioned in space. The hierarchical structure is represented spatially with parent nodes and child nodes arranged in a visual layout, adding a spatial dimension that makes the planning structure easier to comprehend and manipulate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional planning methods separate tree creation and value distribution, then the planning process can proceed, but adjustments and visual comparisons between top-down and bottom-up structures are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tree creation process with value distribution by allowing values to be associated with nodes during the same visual interface. The system combines hierarchical structure creation and value assignment into a unified visual workflow, eliminating the need for separate processes and making adjustments easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual planning system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the hierarchical structure, allows creation and modification of nodes, enables value distribution, and facilitates comparison between different planning approaches (top-down and bottom-up) all within a single unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided that visually represents a planning structure. The system displays a node that represents an element of the planning structure and a value associated with the element within a user interface. The system further receives a first user interaction that is a movement of a cursor over the node in a direction. The system further generates child elements within the planning structure in response to the first user interaction, where the child elements are children of the element. The system further generates values associated with the child elements, where a combination of the values is equal to the original value. The system further displays child nodes that represent the child elements and the values within the user interface. The system further displays lines between the node and the child nodes, where each line represents a parent-child relationship.