Project Management Systems and Methods

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved project management systems and methods. In one embodiment the present invention includes a project management system comprising a plurality of radial task regions displayed around a focal point and a plurality of time regions displayed around the focal point, wherein each time region represents a period of time. The present invention may be implemented in software or as a project management template provided on a sheet of material such as paper.

1 .- 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 storing data in a memory of a computer system, the data corresponding to a project, the project comprising a plurality of tasks;   generating an electronic chart on the computer system based on the data in said memory, the electronic chart comprising a plurality of task regions separated by task boundaries, wherein the plurality of tasks are displayed in corresponding task regions, wherein the task regions are arranged to form a geometric shape around a geometric center, the task regions forming wedge shapes that extend outward from the center, wherein the task boundaries extend radially outward from the center between the task regions, the task boundaries representing timelines where time progresses radially, and wherein durations of the plurality of tasks are indicated radially, wherein each of the plurality of tasks is displayed between a first radial position having a first radial distance from the center corresponding to a first time and a second radial position having a second radial distance from the center corresponding to a second time; and   outputting the electronic chart to a display of the computer system.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , the electronic chart further comprising a plurality of concentric time regions around the center, wherein different boundaries of the concentric time regions intersect the task boundaries at different points, and wherein a radial distance between the boundaries of each concentric time region represents an increment of time. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78 , the electronic chart further comprising one or more task identifiers for indicating the duration of a task corresponding to a task region, wherein at least one task region includes one or more task identifiers extending radially from a first point in time to a second point in time. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78  wherein each task region is associated with data corresponding to a task of said project. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 78  wherein each task boundary represents time advancing inward toward the center. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 78  wherein each task boundary represents time advancing outward away from the center. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the task boundaries comprise increments of time. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 78 , the electronic chart further comprising a plurality of concentric circles around the center, wherein the concentric circles intersect the task boundaries at different points, wherein a difference in radii of adjacent circuits represents an increment of time. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the increment of time is user definable. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the data is stored in a database, and wherein each task has corresponding data stored in a plurality of fields in the database, and wherein a particular task region corresponding to a task is associated with the plurality of fields in the database for said task. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 78 , the electronic chart further comprising a description region, the description region comprising a plurality of task description records, wherein the task description records display data associated with task regions. 
     
     
         89 . A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions, the instructions when executed by a computer system causing the computer system to perform a method, the method comprising:
 storing data in a memory of a computer system, the data corresponding to a project, the project comprising a plurality of tasks;   generating an electronic chart on the computer system based on the data in said memory, the electronic chart comprising a plurality of task regions separated by task boundaries, wherein the plurality of tasks are displayed in corresponding task regions, wherein the task regions are arranged to form a geometric shape around a geometric center, the task regions forming wedge shapes that extend outward from the center, wherein the task boundaries extend radially outward from the center between the task regions, the task boundaries representing timelines where time progresses radially, and wherein durations of the plurality of tasks are indicated radially, wherein each of the plurality of tasks is displayed between a first radial position having a first radial distance from the center corresponding to a first time and a second radial position having a second radial distance from the center corresponding to a second time; and   outputting the electronic chart to a display of the computer system.   
     
     
         90 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93 , the electronic chart further comprising a plurality of concentric time regions around the center, wherein different boundaries of the concentric time regions intersect the task boundaries at different points, and wherein a radial distance between the boundaries of each concentric time region represents an increment of time. 
     
     
         91 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93 , the electronic chart further comprising one or more task identifiers for indicating the duration of a task corresponding to a task region, wherein at least one task region includes one or more task identifiers extending radially from a first point in time to a second point in time. 
     
     
         92 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93  wherein each task boundary represents time advancing inward toward the center. 
     
     
         93 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93  wherein each task boundary represents time advancing outward away from the center. 
     
     
         94 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93  wherein the task boundaries comprise increments of time. 
     
     
         95 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93 , the electronic chart further comprising a plurality of concentric circles around the center, wherein the concentric circles intersect the task boundaries at different points, wherein a difference in radii of adjacent circuits represents an increment of time. 
     
     
         96 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 95  wherein the increment of time is user definable. 
     
     
         97 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 93  wherein the data is stored in a database, and wherein each task has corresponding data stored in a plurality of fields in the database, and wherein a particular task region corresponding to a task is associated with the plurality of fields in the database for said task.