Project Management WBS Matrix for Direct Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current project management software tools require users to navigate between separate workspaces or popup windows to assign and allocate resources to tasks and subtasks, leading to inefficiencies and counterintuitive user interfaces, especially when managing multiple resources at various levels of allocation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a scope-resource matrix within the work breakdown structure (WBS) table allows users to directly add resources to individual columns, enabling simultaneous assignment and allocation of resources to tasks and subtasks without navigating away from the WBS table, along with automatic reformatting of task rows to composite operator-data fields and flexible column grouping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate between separate workspaces or popup windows to assign and allocate resources, then resource assignment can be completed, but user interface complexity and navigation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the resource assignment and allocation functions into a single integrated workspace view, eliminating the need to navigate between separate workspaces or popup windows. Users can perform both tasks by simply entering data in the appropriate columns of the same table, directly resolving the contradiction by reducing navigation steps and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The workspace view is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: displaying task information, assigning resources, and allocating resources all in one interface. This multi-functional design allows users to complete resource management tasks without leaving the current view, thereby reducing time loss and improving operational efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate popup windows are used for resource assignment, then resource data can be entered, but interface complexity and number of user actions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resource assignment interface into the main workspace table, eliminating separate popup windows. Resource names are entered in dedicated columns within the same table where task information is displayed, reducing interface complexity while maintaining full resource assignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional organization to the interface by adding resource-specific columns to the workspace table. This allows resource data to be displayed and edited in the same spatial plane as task data, rather than requiring separate windows, thereby reducing interface complexity while preserving versatility.
3Productivity
If multiple popup windows are opened for each task, then resource allocation can be performed, but user actions and navigation steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines resource allocation functionality directly into the workspace table columns, allowing users to allocate resources to multiple tasks by simply entering data in the appropriate cells. This eliminates the need to open and navigate through multiple popup windows, significantly improving ease of operation and resource allocation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous resource allocation actions within a single workspace view. Users can allocate the same resource to multiple tasks sequentially without interruption or navigation, maintaining a continuous workflow and improving productivity while simplifying operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The work breakdown structure (WBS) table in a computerized project management system is modified to include individual columns for each of the resources that is used on a project to produce a scope-resource matrix within the WBS table. The matrix is created when users add each resource directly to a project's WBS table. The users assign the resources to individual tasks and subtasks in the project by adding the allocation level directly the matrix at the intersection of the resource and each task to which the resource is assigned. Also, the computerized project management system automatically reformats selected task rows in the WBS table from their original data field format to a composite operator-data field format when a user adds subtasks to the selected task row. The computerized project management system also allows users to group columns in the WBS table, and the grouped columns can be shown or hidden.