Computer-Implemented Tool for Project Management Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual reviews of software development projects often fail to identify underlying causes of failure due to a lack of a logical, holistic approach, relying on reviewer experience and missing end-to-end assessment of project management processes and artifacts.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented tool that assesses product development projects by identifying multiple root causes of trouble through question sets, evaluating project management processes against standard practices, and providing guidance on the effectiveness of implementation, using a structured scoring mechanism and project management frameworks like PMI and WWPMM.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual review relies on reviewer experience, then the review process is simple and flexible, but the validity and reliability of the assessment suffers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereview process simplicityVSAvoidassessment validity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a standardized assessment template that copies and formalizes best practices into a repeatable structure. The template includes predefined question sets, scoring criteria, and evaluation frameworks that can be consistently applied across different projects, ensuring that assessments are not dependent on individual reviewer experience but rather follow a validated methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the subjective parameter of reviewer experience into objective parameters through standardized scoring criteria. By defining specific parameters for assessment (such as question set completion, evidence validation, and scoring thresholds), the system converts qualitative reviewer judgment into quantifiable, reliable metrics that can be consistently measured and compared.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If reviewer focuses on project management system level, then the review is quick and high-level, but underlying causes of failure are missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereview speedVSAvoidcause analysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the project management system into multiple levels and dimensions for systematic review. It divides the assessment into specific question sets categorized by project management domains (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, closing) and further breaks down into specific artifacts and processes. This segmentation allows reviewers to efficiently navigate through structured categories while thoroughly examining underlying causes at each level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds multiple dimensions to the review process by examining project management systems from both macro (system-level) and micro (artifact-level) perspectives. The question sets are designed to probe multiple dimensions simultaneously - process existence, artifact quality, data adequacy, and causal relationships - enabling comprehensive cause analysis without sacrificing review efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If reviewer focuses on technical aspects, then technical depth is achieved, but people and process impact are not assessed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetechnical assessment depthVSAvoidprocess and people context
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal assessment framework that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same question set structure can evaluate technical artifacts, process effectiveness, people dynamics, and organizational context. Each question set is designed to be multi-functional, probing both the technical quality of deliverables and the people/process factors that influence them, thereby preventing loss of contextual information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate review focuses (technical assessment and process/people assessment) into a unified evaluation framework. The question sets are designed to combine technical artifact evaluation with process effectiveness and people impact analysis, allowing reviewers to assess all dimensions together rather than separately, thus maintaining comprehensive context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional review uses applied experience, then the approach is flexible and adaptive, but consistent scoring and focused identification of failure areas is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereview adaptabilityVSAvoidfailure area identification consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring specific question sets to the particular project management domain being evaluated while maintaining the overall structured framework. Each domain (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, closing) has customized questions that address its specific characteristics, ensuring relevant and adaptive assessment while maintaining consistency through the unified scoring methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7680682B2Method, system and program product for assessing a product development project employing a computer-implemented evaluation tool
Publication Date: 2010.03.16 X CORP
  • US7680682B2 patent drawing
  • US7680682B2 patent drawing
  • US7680682B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A product development project assessment approach is provided which includes identifying multiple possible root causes of trouble for a product development project, identifying question sets related to the multiple possible root causes of trouble, and providing a computer-implemented tool to evaluate answers to the question sets and provide guidance regarding existence of one or more root causes of trouble for the product development project. The assessment approach further includes evaluating project management processes employed for the product development project by comparison thereof to identified, standard project management processes, and provide guidance regarding effectiveness of implementation of the project management processes employed. Product management work product is also evaluated as further evidence of the existence of one or more root causes of trouble or the effectiveness of implementation of the project management processes. The product development project can comprise a software or hardware development project.