Patent ID: 6088678
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A computer-implemented process simulation method having a software engine that calculates resources required to complete a project having a design whose process is to be simulated, said method comprising the steps of:defining a project;defining a plurality of physical resources that are required to complete the project;inputting a plurality of design requirement priority values and a sample design having predefined elements into a computer, which sample design has a process that is to be simulated;defining each substep of the project using a predetermined benefit-trade matrix that comprises a multiple variable lookup table that embodies history data relating to the substep that is indicative of weights of schedule, cost and risk elements for the substep and user-input rating data that comprises values corresponding to the importance of each respective element;defining a logical equation for each substep that computes the time required to complete the project, required resources for the project, and cost of the project based upon data input thereto;inputting weights for schedule, cost and risk elements of each benefit-trade matrix;inputting rating values for schedule, cost and risk elements of each benefit-trade matrix;computing output vectors for each benefit-trade matrix that comprise values corresponding to the respective weight of each element times the respective rating value of each element;at each substep, calculating resources required to complete the project using the vector derived from the benefit-trade matrix associated with the substep, and the design requirement priority values and predefined elements or vector derived from the benefit-trade matrix associated with a previous substep; andoutputting data for use in assessing the risk, cost, and schedule associated with decisions made regarding the project.