Patent ID: 6289317
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:a computer system having a video display and a user input mechanism, said computer system executing:(a) a task-based budget analysis software module, comprising:a business task list comprising a set of task elements;means for generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;means for generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a business; andmeans for generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;(b) a time entry software module, comprising:means for generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables received by an import directory of said time entry software module; andmeans for automatically transferring said client, matter and timekeeper tables to said time entry software module;(c) a software module, comprising:means for generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data;means for identifying to said task-based budget analysis modified timecard data that are no longer valid; and(d) wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates a time task budget from the timekeeper codes, the matter task list, and starting and ending dates, and translates said time task budget from matter codes to client codes using said predetermined relationship, and further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module pro-rates budget amounts if starting and ending dates occur inside of a pre-determined billing period, and even further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates a variance report from said timecard data.