Methodology Infrastructure for Flexible Data Storage and Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web publishing systems face challenges in accessing, updating, and maintaining methodologies due to generic content display, inflexibility in accessing and updating methods, complex data relationships, and difficulty in transforming or sharing methodology content for project planning and estimation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving XML-formatted information and rule files to generate SQL commands for explicit and implicit relationships, enabling flexible storage, retrieval, and presentation of methodology data with hypertext links, and providing multiple user interfaces for accessing and managing methodologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If methodologies are displayed in a generic manner using conventional browser interfaces, then accessibility is improved, but the ability to locate specific information becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing customized view options for different user roles (e.g., executives see summary views, project managers see detailed views) and enabling users to filter and sort methodology content based on their specific needs. This allows the system to maintain broad accessibility while delivering targeted information to reduce the difficulty of locating specific content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the display of methodology content based on user preferences, access rights, and contextual information. Users can customize their viewing experience through dynamic filtering, sorting, and navigation options, making the system adaptable to different information location needs while maintaining ease of access.
2Device complexity
If traditional methods are used for accessing and displaying methodologies, then system simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in updating information becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments methodology content into modular components that can be independently updated and maintained. This allows the system to maintain overall simplicity while enabling flexible updates to specific sections without affecting the entire system. Content is organized into manageable units that can be selectively modified.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between content creators and the display interface, enabling updates to be made through a standardized interface that automatically propagates changes. This intermediary mechanism maintains system simplicity from the user perspective while providing flexible update capabilities through automated content management.
3Loss of information
If highly integrated methodologies with numerous cross-referenced links are used, then information completeness is improved, but data maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect and highlight broken or outdated links when methodologies are updated. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain information completeness by automatically identifying maintenance issues while reducing manual maintenance complexity through automated link verification and validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of cross-referenced links during the methodology creation and update processes. By checking link integrity in advance, the system prevents maintenance issues from accumulating, maintaining information completeness while reducing ongoing maintenance complexity through proactive rather than reactive management.
4Device complexity
If methodology content is stored in traditional formats, then storage simplicity is maintained, but ability to transform and share content for project planning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal content storage format that can be interpreted by multiple systems and tools. The methodology content is stored in a standardized structure that enables transformation into various formats for different purposes (project planning, estimation, reporting), maintaining storage simplicity while providing versatile transformation capabilities through a single unified data structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An infrastructure to develop, store, maintain and deliver methodology content to end users includes a database of metadata containing definitions of explicit and implicit relationships between methodology objects representative of published documents. The infrastructure includes an integrated suite of tools including a methodology development tool, multiple user interfaces including a methodology finder and a methodology browser, and an estimating tool that integrates the methodology content into the project planning process.