US5655086A — Configurable electronic performance support syste…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 192 words

A computer-implemented electronic performance support system, comprising: (a) a computer with a monitor coupled thereto; (b) a memory, coupled to the computer, for storing electronic project records, wherein each project record is divided into one or more phase records, each phase record is divided into one or more work activity records, and each work activity record is divided into one or more job aid records, each job aid record being selected from a group comprising a boilerplate file for providing templates for a project record, a help file for explaining how to use the templates, linkages to a reference guide for explaining a job aid record, examples providing models of completed work activity records, and project forms for documenting work in progress using the templates from the boilerplate file; and (c) project manager means, performed by the computer and displayed on the monitor, for managing interactions between the computer and a user, wherein the project manager means further comprises means for configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the electronic project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, thereby allowing the user to model any total quality management process.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 192 words

A computer-implemented electronic performance support system, comprising: (a) a computer with a monitor coupled thereto; (b) a memory, coupled to the computer, for storing electronic project records, wherein each project record is divided into one or more phase records, each phase record is divided into one or more work activity records, and each work activity record is divided into one or more job aid records, each job aid record being selected from a group comprising a boilerplate file for providing templates for a project record, a help file for explaining how to use the templates, linkages to a reference guide for explaining a job aid record, examples providing models of completed work activity records, and project forms for documenting work in progress using the templates from the boilerplate file; and (c) project manager means, performed by the computer and displayed on the monitor, for managing interactions between the computer and a user, wherein the project manager means further comprises means for configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the electronic project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, thereby allowing the user to model any total quality management process.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 188 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the means for configuring projects comprises: (1) means for configuring the phase records of a selected project record, further comprising means for selecting one or more phase records from a set of canned phase records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded phase records from the set, and means for adding new phase records to the set as required; (2) means for configuring the work activity records of each phase record, further comprising means for selecting one or more work activity records from a set of canned work activity records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded work activity records from the set, and means for adding new work activity records to the set as required; and (3) means for configuring the job aid records for each work activity record, further comprising means for selecting one or more job aid records from a set of canned job aid records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded job aid records from the set, and means for adding new job aid records to the set as required.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The invention as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein the means for adding new job aid records further comprises means for associating a function with a data file, and means for specifying the data file's contents.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, further comprising means for graphically representing the project manager means on the monitor coupled to the computer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 63 words

The invention as set forth in claim 4 above, wherein the means for graphically representing comprises: (1) means for identifying a project record on the monitor; and (2) means for displaying the phase records, work activity records, and job aid records on the monitor, wherein relationships between the phase records, work activity records, and job aid records are graphically represented on the monitor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, further comprising means for invoking an application and accessing an associated data file for a selected job aid record displayed on the monitor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 187 words

A computer-implemented electronic performance support system, comprising: (a) a computer with a monitor coupled thereto; (b) a memory, coupled to the computer, for storing electronic project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, wherein the phase records are linked to the project records, the work activity records are linked to the phase records, and the job aid records are linked to the work activity records; and (c) graphical user interface means, performed by the computer and displayed on the monitor, for managing interactions between the computer and a user, wherein the graphical user interface means further comprises means for selectively displaying a project record on the monitor, means for displaying one or more phase records linked to the displayed project record on the monitor, means for selectively displaying one or more work activity records linked to the displayed phase records on the monitor, and means for selectively displaying one or more job aid records linked to the displayed work activity records on the monitor, and means for configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the displayed project, phase, work activity, and job aid records.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 187 words

A computer-implemented electronic performance support system, comprising: (a) a computer with a monitor coupled thereto; (b) a memory, coupled to the computer, for storing electronic project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, wherein the phase records are linked to the project records, the work activity records are linked to the phase records, and the job aid records are linked to the work activity records; and (c) graphical user interface means, performed by the computer and displayed on the monitor, for managing interactions between the computer and a user, wherein the graphical user interface means further comprises means for selectively displaying a project record on the monitor, means for displaying one or more phase records linked to the displayed project record on the monitor, means for selectively displaying one or more work activity records linked to the displayed phase records on the monitor, and means for selectively displaying one or more job aid records linked to the displayed work activity records on the monitor, and means for configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the displayed project, phase, work activity, and job aid records.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 49 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein the graphical user interface means further comprises means for selecting a displayed job aid record, means for invoking a function associated therewith, and means for adding, modifying and deleting a data file associated with the selected job aid record.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein each job aid record comprises a boilerplate file for containing templates for a project record.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention as set forth in claim 9 above, wherein the job aid record comprises a help file for explaining how to use the templates.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein each job aid record comprises a linkage to a reference guide for explaining the job aid record.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein each job aid record comprises an example providing a model of a completed work activity record.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein each job aid record comprises a project form for documenting work in progress for a project record.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 190 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein the means for configuring projects comprises: (1) means for configuring the phase records of a specified project record, further comprising means for selecting one or more of the phase records from a set of canned phase records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded phase records from the set, and means for adding new phase records to the set as required; (2) means for configuring the work activity records of each phase record, further comprising means for selecting one or more work activity records from a set of canned work activity records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded work activity records from the set, and means for adding new work activity records to the set as required; and (3) means for configuring the job aid records for each work activity record, further comprising means for selecting one or more job aid records from a set of canned job aid records stored in the memory, means for deleting unneeded job aid records from the set, and means for adding new job aid records to the set as required.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The invention as set forth in claim 14 above, wherein the means for configuring job aid records further comprises means for associating a function with a data file related to each job aid record, and means for specifying the data file's contents.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 170 words

A method for implementing a computerized performance support system, comprising: (a) storing electronic project records in a memory of a computer, wherein each project record is divided into one or more phase records, each phase record is divided into one or more work activity records, and each work activity record is divided into one or more job aid records, each job aid record being selected from a group comprising a boilerplate file for providing templates for a project record, a help file for explaining how to use the templates, linkages to a reference guide for explaining a job aid record, examples providing models of completed work activity records, and project forms for documenting work in progress using the templates from the boilerplate file; and (b) managing interactions between the computer and a user, further comprising the steps of configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the electronic the project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, thereby allowing the user to model any total quality management process.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 170 words

A method for implementing a computerized performance support system, comprising: (a) storing electronic project records in a memory of a computer, wherein each project record is divided into one or more phase records, each phase record is divided into one or more work activity records, and each work activity record is divided into one or more job aid records, each job aid record being selected from a group comprising a boilerplate file for providing templates for a project record, a help file for explaining how to use the templates, linkages to a reference guide for explaining a job aid record, examples providing models of completed work activity records, and project forms for documenting work in progress using the templates from the boilerplate file; and (b) managing interactions between the computer and a user, further comprising the steps of configuring projects by adding, modifying, and deleting the electronic the project records, phase records, work activity records, and job aid records, thereby allowing the user to model any total quality management process.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 175 words

The invention as set forth in claim 16 above, wherein the configuring projects step comprises the steps of: (1) configuring the phase records of a specified project record, further comprising the steps of selecting one or more phase records from a set of canned phase records stored in the memory, deleting unneeded phase records from the set, and adding new phase records to the set as required; (2) configuring the work activity records of each phase record, further comprising the steps of selecting one or more work activity records from a set of canned work activity records stored in the memory, deleting unneeded work activity records from the set, and adding new work activity records to the set as required; and (3) configuring the job aid records for each work activity record, further comprising the steps of selecting one or more job aid records from a set of canned job aid records stored in the memory, deleting unneeded job aid records from the set, and adding new job aid records to the set as required.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 40 words

The invention as set forth in claim 17 above, wherein the adding new job aid records step further comprises the steps of associating an applications program for performing various functions with a data file, and specifying the data file's contents.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as set forth in claim 17 above, further comprising the step of graphically representing the project manager on the monitor coupled to the computer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 66 words

The invention as set forth in claim 19 above, wherein the graphically representing step comprises the steps of: (1) identifying a project record on the monitor; and (2) displaying the phase records, work activity records, and job aid records related to the project record on the monitor, wherein relationships between the phase records, work activity records, and job aid records are graphically represented on the monitor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-08-04	2001-02-03	2001-08-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-08-04	2005-02-03	2005-08-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-08-04	2009-02-03	2009-08-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Configurable electronic performance support system for total quality management processes

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