Virtual Schedule for Maintenance Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance management systems for large-scale assets during scheduled outages face challenges in providing real-time communication and visibility, leading to disorganization, schedule slips, and increased costs due to the complex and rigid nature of existing systems, which often require manual processes and result in inefficiencies and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A schedule management system (SMS) generates a virtual schedule that compiles data from multiple source systems, allowing for near real-time updates and communication among workers and managers, reducing the need for manual processes and enhancing resource optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional maintenance management system is used during scheduled outages, then data can be stored in centralized databases, but real-time communication and visibility are not provided, leading to disorganization and schedule slips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual schedule that is a copy of the master schedule from the centralized database. This virtual schedule can be freely updated by field workers without affecting the original master schedule, enabling real-time information visibility while maintaining the integrity of the centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual schedule acts as an intermediary between the centralized database and field workers. It translates the rigid master schedule into a flexible working copy that can be easily updated and communicated in real-time, solving the information visibility problem without requiring changes to the core database system.
2Productivity
If field workers are restricted from updating the master schedule, then data integrity is maintained, but workers cannot freely update work progress and notes, resulting in manual processes and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the schedule into two distinct layers: the master schedule (read-only for field workers) and the virtual schedule (editable by field workers). This segmentation allows workers to efficiently update work progress in the virtual schedule without compromising the integrity of the master schedule in the centralized database.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a virtual copy of the master schedule, the system enables field workers to freely update work progress, notes, and status information without risking data integrity issues in the original system. The copy can be updated in real-time while the master schedule remains protected.
3Ease of operation
If multiple source systems are integrated into a single view, then a unified schedule is provided, but the system complexity and difficulty of maintaining data relationships increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates data from multiple source systems into a virtual schedule that is a unified copy view. This approach provides ease of operation by presenting all schedule information in a single accessible interface, while the underlying complexity of maintaining data relationships remains in the source systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual schedule serves as a universal interface that can display and update information from multiple different source systems. It performs multiple functions including data consolidation, real-time updates, and communication coordination, simplifying access while managing integration complexity centrally.
4Loss of time
If manual processes are used for schedule updates and communication, then system simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases and schedule adherence decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where updates to the virtual schedule are automatically communicated to relevant subscribers and stakeholders. This reduces update time by eliminating manual communication processes while maintaining appropriate levels of automation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring subscriber networks and notification rules before outages begin. This allows automated communication workflows to be established in advance, reducing the time required for schedule updates and communications during the actual outage period.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a system for electronically generating a virtualized work schedule based on a composite of data gathered from multiple work planning, scheduling and other management information systems utilized in structured maintenance projects for a large-scale assets during a scheduled maintenance period. The system can include a schedule management system configured to facilitate communications among workers and managers during the scheduled maintenance period and expedite completion of the structured maintenance project.