Module-Based Schedule Generation with Backoff Milestones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current schedule generation techniques are rigid and time-consuming, requiring manual calculation and often using templates that are difficult to tailor to specific project scenarios, especially when variability and unique conditions are involved, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that allows for the selection of modules with milestones, backoffs, and a reference date to generate schedules dynamically, enabling flexible and accurate scheduling by linking modules through milestones and adjusting dates based on project-specific parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If waterfall methodology is used to create schedules task-by-task, then the schedule can be detailed and comprehensive, but the process becomes time-consuming to create and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining standardized templates containing milestones, activities, and relationships that can be reused across multiple projects. This allows schedules to be generated quickly by selecting and customizing pre-prepared components rather than creating everything from scratch, thus reducing schedule creation time while maintaining detail accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the schedule into modular components including templates, milestones, activities, and relationships that can be independently selected, customized, and assembled. This segmentation allows users to work with manageable portions of the schedule rather than treating it as a monolithic structure, improving both creation efficiency and maintainability.
2Productivity
If templates are used with target complete date selection, then dates can be automatically calculated for milestones, but the templates become difficult to tailor to unique project scenarios with variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the template structure to adapt to different project scenarios through conditional logic and parameter customization. The system can dynamically adjust milestone dates, activities, and relationships based on project-specific inputs while maintaining the underlying template framework, thus preserving both generation speed and scenario flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing specific portions of the template to be customized for unique project requirements while maintaining the overall template structure. Users can modify individual milestones, activities, or relationships without restructuring the entire template, enabling tailored solutions for unique scenarios while preserving the efficiency of standardized components.
3Reliability
If templates are created with worst-case scenario milestones, then the schedule can accommodate any project conditions, but identifying and removing unnecessary milestones makes template usage more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by allowing users to selectively remove or deactivate specific milestones and activities from the template based on actual project needs. Rather than requiring users to identify and remove entire templates or make complex modifications, the system enables easy extraction of unnecessary components while preserving the core template structure and its robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing users to temporarily disable or remove milestones for specific projects while retaining them in the master template for future use. This enables the template to maintain its comprehensive worst-case scenario coverage for reliability while allowing easy discarding of unnecessary elements for specific projects, and recovering them when needed again.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for generating a schedule for project. Modules are selected from a collection of modules. A module in the collection of modules has a group of milestones. A set of backoffs is selected for a set of the modules. A backoff in the set of modules for the module in the set of modules points to a milestone in another module in the modules. Dates are determined for the milestones based on time periods for the milestones, the set of backoffs, and a reference date for the project to form the schedule for the project.