Method and apparatus for identifying and tracking project trends

Abstract

A method and apparatus for computer-assisted project analysis. Planned values for successive times for each of a plurality of parameters are stored in a database. Another database receives measured values of the parameters at the successive times. A statistical analysis including comparison, correlation and differentiation functions generate a set of output functions that then are displayed to assist in the analysis of the project.

1. A method for analyzing, in a processing apparatus, the progress of a project against with respect to a plurality of predetermined project parameters comprisingthe steps of:
 storing in the processing apparatus for a predetermined list of parameters and planned values for successive times, said project parameters and planned values related to at least one of lines of code, product requirements, and staff requirements; 
 storing in the processing apparatus measured values of each of the project parameters measured at successive times; 
 statistically analyzing in the processing apparatus the measured values of the project parameters and the corresponding values of the predetermined project parameters thereby to identify a set of output functions including generating at least one correlation for one pair of project parameters on the predetermined list and generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time; and 
 displaying each output function including each correlation as information from which an evaluation of the project progress may be obtained. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said statistical analysis additionally includes generating rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said statistical analysis additionally includes generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time. 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in claim wherein said statistical analysis additionally generates rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in  claim 1  additionally comprising the step of initiating the analysis under external control. 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in  claim 1  additionally comprising the steps of:
 monitoring the stored values; and 
 automatically activating said analysis in response to the existence of an adequate accumulation of stored values. 
 
     
     
       7. Apparatus of for analyzing the progress of a project against with respect to a plurality of parameters comprising:
 first storage means for storing, for a predetermined list of different types of project parameters and planned values for successive times, and said project parameters and planned values related to at least one of lines of code, product requirements, and staff requirements; 
 second storage means for storing measured values of the different types of project parameters measured at successive times; 
 means for statistically analyzing the measured values in said second storage means and the corresponding planned project parameter values from said first storage means thereby to identify a set of output functions, said analyzing means including means for generating for at least one correlation output function that is a correlation between at least one pair of the different project parameters and means for generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time; and 
 means for displaying each output function icnluding including each correlation as information from which an evaluation of the project progress may be obtained. 
 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as recited in  claim 7  wherein said statistical analysis means additionally includes means for generating rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as recited in  claim 7  wherein said statistical analysis means additionally includes means for generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as recited in  claim 7  wherein said statistical analysis means additionally includes means for generating rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus as recited in  claim 7  additionally comprising means for initiating said analysis means in response to an external control. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus as recited in  claim 7  additionally comprising:
 means for monitoring the stored values; and 
 means for automatically activating said analysis means in response to the existence of an adequate accumulation of stored values. 
 
     
     
       13. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, execution of which by a computing device causes the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 storing a predetermined list of different types of project parameters and planned values for successive times, said project parameters and planned values related to at least one of lines of code, product requirements, and staff requirements;   storing measured values of each of the project parameters measured at successive times;   statistically analyzing the measured values of the project parameters and the corresponding values of the predetermined project parameters thereby to identify a set of output functions including generating at least one correlation for one pair of project parameters on the predetermined list and generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time; and   displaying each output function including each correlation as information from which an evaluation of the project progress may be obtained.   
     
     
       14. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 13, wherein said statistically analyzing comprises generating rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       15. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
 initiating the analyzing under external control.   
     
     
       16. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
 monitoring the stored values; and automatically activating said analysis in response to the existence of an adequate accumulation of stored values.   
     
     
       17. An apparatus configured to analyze progress of a project with respect to a plurality of parameters comprising:
 a database device configured to store:
 a predetermined list of different types of project parameters and planned values for successive times, said project parameters and planned values related to at least one of lines of code, product requirements, and staff requirements, and 
 measured values of the different types of project parameters measured at successive times; 
   an analysis device configured to statistically analyze the measured values in said database device and the corresponding planned project parameter values from said database device thereby to identify a set of output functions, wherein the analysis device is configured to generate at least one correlation output function that is a correlation between at least one pair of the different project parameters and wherein the analysis device includes means for generating variances of the measured value from the planned value for each parameter over time; and   a display device configured to display each output function including each correlation as information from which an evaluation of the project progress may be obtained.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the analysis device is further configured to generate rates of change for the measured values of each parameter over time. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the analysis device is initiated in response to an external control. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 additionally comprising:
 a monitoring device configured to monitor the stored values, wherein the analysis device is configured to be activated in response to an adequate accumulation of stored values.