Abstract:
A method and system are provided for communicating between two heterogeneous systems in an enterprise services architecture. A software object on a first system is associated with a node, a node attribute, an action, and a query. The software object is then formatted, or converted, into a generic version of the software object before contact with a user interface of a second system. The contact with the user interface of the second system is then made.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In enterprise service architectures, communication via a graphical user interface may be limited by the pre-conditions, i.e., communication requirements, of the graphical user interface. Specifically, elements or software objects which contact the graphical user interface may not be compatible with the graphical user interface, and thus may need to be controlled or manipulated depending upon its pre-conditions. In some systems, the software object may be mapped into a graphical component in order to solve any compatibility issues between the graphical user interface and the software object. 
         [0002]    Accordingly, software objects currently modeled and used in business applications are unsuitable to fulfil the needs of the graphical user interface (UI) and do not support the communication protocol required. Moreover, the present solutions provide for a slow response time given the mapping required in order to communicate with the UI. Thus, a need exists to provide a generic software object which can communicate with the UI in a more efficient and compatible manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows an example service-oriented architecture structure. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows an example structure of a GANTT-software object in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows an example system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  shows an example system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  shows an example generic business object in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  shows an example GANTT chart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  shows an example work breakdown structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  shows an example network structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  shows an example business object structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Development of a complex software system may involve defining an object model that represents the desired structure and functionality of objects to be implemented in an application framework. In business software environments, such as in enterprise service architecture systems, those software objects may be referred to as business objects which can be defined according to a node structure that may specify corresponding data elements and behaviors to be associated with the business objects. Once the object model is defined, developers may produce code for the application framework that implements the defined objects. The application framework acts as a service provider and generally provides the service-side or business logic side or back-end level functionality for the system. The client-side or front-end aspects of the system are then coded, including the user interface portion, e.g., graphical user interface (UI), providing specific application contexts and usage scenarios which depend upon the backend level functionality. These specific application contexts and usage scenarios are the pre-conditions. The business objects along with their corresponding data elements and behaviors may encounter a graphical UI of a software system which straddles two separate and incompatible software systems. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an example of the elements of a service-oriented architecture (SOA). SOA  100  is a peer-to-peer architecture supporting services connecting providers and consumers. The elements of SOA include a service provider  103 , a service registry  101 , a service consumer  102 , and a service contract  104 . The service contract  104  is a contract binding the consumer with a service provider. The service registry is the record of services information, e.g., new services available, etc. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an example structure of a GANTT business object. Typically, a GANTT chart represents a project schedule, illustrating in a bar chart start and finish dates of terminal elements, for example, of a project. A GANTT chart may also show the dependency relationships between activities. For example, a GANTT chart may represent the phases and activities of a project work breakdown structure (WBS), where a summary of terminal elements may be shown, including all of their associated activities and percentage of activities completed. In  FIG. 2 , a GANTT business object is shown in which the business object structure is displayed  200 . In a first section  201  of the screen, the name, namespace, software component version, and description of the business object is stored. The tabs provided on the second section of the screen, allow for selection of various information such as Definition, among others, which may, as shown, identify the business object node  202  associated with the business object. Within the business object node screen, one may access various information regarding the business object, including relationship to other objects, parameters, collaboration, etc. In the present embodiment, the relationship information is selected. Accordingly, the root node  203  is identified, including a description, and data structure. Further the root node  203  includes information on the common Gantt controller element  204 , and the like. The root node also may identify  205  its associated type, name, namespace, and software component version. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an example system  300  in accordance with the present invention. In the application layer  303 , an arbitrary business object  305  is available. The business object  305  is modeled from and/or associated with a project or production order. Via enterprise services based communication, the business object communicates with the Gantt controller  304 . The Gantt controller  304  converts—all within the application layer and before contacting the user interface layer—the business object into a generic business object which can communicate with the user interface layer  301 . The user interface layer  301  includes a user interface component  302 . The user interface component  302  includes the preconditions of the user interface and communicates via services based communication. The user interface component  302  may receive the generic business object and use it to generate, for example, a Gantt model or chart showing a project schedule, a network showing the relationships between entities, e.g., business objects, and/or a work breakdown structure (WBS) which defined and organizes the total scope of a project using a hierarchical tree structure. In embodiments of the present invention, the backend contains the business logic. That business logic is a prerequisite for the generic business object and communication protocol. Given the translation of the business object in the backend before contact with the user interface outside the backend software system, the processing time is rather quick. For example, a possible backend system may be coded with ABAP code, C++, or other code. The user interface side may be coded in Java. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a generic process for obtaining a generic business object is provided. The generic process may involve opening a user interface which has nongraphical user interface components and works on the business object and a controller object, and converting a transit node of the business object into a Gantt business object. The Gantt business object will then be responsible for all conversions. 
         [0017]    In embodiments of the present invention, one business object can be in contact with more than one user interface. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows an example system  400  in accordance with the present invention. The core business object or arbitrary business object  401  provides business object core services to controller business object  402 . The controller business object  402  contains the its associated controller classes  403 . The business object  401  and the controller object  402  exist on the backend of an enterprise software system or other. For example, the backend and front-end (including a user interface) systems may be coded in at least one of the following ABAP, C++, Java, flash macromedia, net-based, or other computer language. In  FIG. 4 , the controller business object communicates core services with an intermediate graphics layer (IGL)  404 . The intermediate graphics layer  404  may include, for example and among other things, an XML generator  405 , an event handler  406 , data retrieval  407 , and tools generation  408 . The intermediate graphics layer communicates with the graphic component  410  having a graphics applet  411 . The browser  410  may contain the graphic component  410  in communication with the intermediate graphics layer  404 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows an example generic business object  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The generic business object  300  includes nodes, attributes of nodes, action, and queries, according to the needs of a graphical component. This generic business object is compliant with service-oriented architecture (SOA) contracts. This generic business object can mediate between graphical user interface elements and an arbitrary set of application business objects. Example business objects may include project and production order. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the basic architecture involves the backend system implementing the business logic. Any rendering is executed in the user interface component, where the rendering information is passed from the business logic via a generic business object to the user interface component. The system controls information about the toolbars, actions, size and shape of a node, and the relationships between the nodes. For example, the size and shape of a node may be represented as a bar in a Gantt chart. In an embodiment of the present invention, this information is transported from the backend to the user interface. The backend and the user interface may be based on two different coding languages and methods. The user interface via, for example, a Java applet, may handle such transported information. This interface may be termed an intermediate graphics layer, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a communication protocol exists between the generic business object, e.g., the Gantt business object shown in  FIG. 1 , and the graphical user interface component. The generic business object is the transformation of an arbitrary structure business object having nodes, attributes, queries, and action, into a unified format which would be recognizable outside the backend. The generic business object is tasked with passing data in the unified format to the graphical component on the front end. The data may be categorized as, for example, metadata and interaction data. The metadata may include the type of element. The interaction data may include allowed actions. This data may be used for the graphical elements, for example, the bars, edges, and the connectors. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the generic business object may handle an event triggered by the graphical user interface. The generic business object may also handle the dispatching or delegation of the event, after a transformation, to the underlying application business object. The generic business object also may control the layout or properties of the graphical user interface including, for example, colors and date format. 
         [0023]    The GANTT business object in an enterprise service repository for purposes of embodiments of the present invention may comprise a “generic business object” structure and is used for providing data for the resulting graphical views. Such graphical views include a GANTT chart, a work breakdown structure, a network diagram, and a table. An example GANTT business object, e.g., ProjectGanttController, as shown in various embodiments herein, may include the following structure: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Root Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Name 
                 Category 
                 Type 
                 Occurrence 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ID 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttID 
                 1 
               
               
                 AppNodeID 
                 Element 
                 CommonBusinessObjectNodeID 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 ViewID 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttViewID 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Target BO 
                 TargetBONode 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
                 Column 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Column 
               
               
                   
                 Interaction 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Interaction 
               
               
                   
                 Configuration 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Configuration 
               
               
                   
                 ProjectSnapshot 
                 ProjectSnapshot 
                 Root 
               
               
                   
                 ProjectTemplate 
                 ProjectTemplate 
                 Root 
               
               
                   
                 ProjectBaseline 
                 ProjectBaseline 
                 Root 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Name 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 SelectAll 
               
               
                   
                 SelectByViewID 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Item Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Name 
                 Category 
                 Type 
                 Occurrence 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Selected 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 Collapsed 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 ParentItem 
                 Element 
                 CommonBusinessObjectNodeID 
                 1 
               
               
                 NavigationNodeID 
                 Element 
                 CommonBusinessObjectNodeID 
                 1 
               
               
                 Icon 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 AttachmentIcon 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 ObjectType 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 RiskIcon 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 ChecklistAvailableIndicator 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 BlockedIndicator 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 LifecycleStatusName 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 Responsible 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_LONG_Name 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 PlannedDuration 
                 Element 
                 p1: Duration 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 Services 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 TeamMembers 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 PlannedWorkQuantity 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 PlannedWorkAggQuantity 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 RemainingWorkQuantity 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 RemainingWorkAgg 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 Quantity 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 ActualWorkQuantity 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 ActualWorkAggQuantity 
                 Element 
                 p1: Quantity 
                 1 
               
               
                 unitCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: MeasureUnitCode 
                 optional 
               
               
                 TotalFloatDuration 
                 Element 
                 p1: Duration 
                 1 
               
               
                 EarliestPlannedPeriod 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttUPPEROPEN_LOCALNORMALISED_DateTimePeriod 
                 1 
               
               
                 StartDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “none, hoursAndMinutes, hoursMinutesAndSeconds” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “none, hoursAndMinutes, hoursMinutesAndSeconds” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 LatestPlannedPeriod 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttUPPEROPEN_LOCALNORMALISED_DateTimePeriod 
                 1 
               
               
                 StartDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “none, hoursAndMinutes, hoursMinutesAndSeconds” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 0 . . . 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 CompletionPercent 
                 Element 
                 p1: SMALLNONNEGATIVEINTEGER_Percent 
                 1 
               
               
                 ImportanceCode 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 CompletionPercent 
                 Element 
                 p1: SMALLNONNEGATIVEINTEGER_Percent 
                 1 
               
               
                 Agg 
               
               
                 ActualStartDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “none, hoursAndMinutes, hoursMinutesAndSeconds” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 ActualFinishDateTime 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDate 
                 Element 
                 p2: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 Time 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p2: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “none, hoursAndMinutes, hoursMinutesAndSeconds” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 EmployeeUUID 
                 Element 
                 p1: UUID 
                 1 
               
               
                 GreyQut 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Bar 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Bar 
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
                 AllowedParentItem 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
                 ForbiddenParentItem 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Bar Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 StartDate 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 Element 
                 p1: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p1: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndDate 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttLocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 LocalNormalisedDateTime 
                 Element 
                 p1: LOCALNORMALISED_DateTime 
                 1 
               
               
                 timeZoneCode 
                 Attribute 
                 p1: TimeZoneCode 
                 required 
               
               
                 TimeFormat 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttTimeFormatCode 
                 1 
               
               
                 EndTimeIndicator 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEndTimeIndicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 Type 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttBarType 
                 1 
               
               
                 Tooltip 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 TooltipText 
                 Element 
                 p2: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 
                 1 
               
               
                 PercentageOfCompetion 
                 Element 
                 p2: SMALLNONNEGATIVEINTEGER_Percent 
                 1 
               
               
                 Moveable 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 SizeableStart 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 SizeableEnd 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 LabelText 
                 Element 
                 p2: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 
                 1 
               
               
                 Selected 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 CreateRelations 
                 Element 
                 p2: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Relationship 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Relationship 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Relationship Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 FromID 
                 Element 
                 CommonBusinessObjectNodeID 
                 1 
               
               
                 ToID 
                 Element 
                 CommonBusinessObjectNodeID 
                 1 
               
               
                 Type 
                 Element 
                 p1: NetworkPlanElementSuccessionTypeCode 
                 1 
               
               
                 Selected 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 EdgeType 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttEdgeType 
                 1 
               
               
                 LabelType 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 
                 1 
               
               
                 Editable 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Interaction Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 BackendActionRequired 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 JGanttCommand 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 InteractionName 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 Type 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttInteractionTypeCode 
                 1 
               
               
                 Position 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttInteractionPosition 
                 1 
               
               
                 SpacingAfter 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 Icon 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 Tooltop 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 Disabled 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 Action Name 
               
               
                   
                 Execute 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Parameter 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 Parameter 
               
               
                   
                 InteractionDropDown 
                 ProjectGanttController 
                 InteractionDropDown 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Parameter Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Parameter 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Value 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 InteractionDropDown Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Selected 
                 Element 
                 p1: Indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 Value 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 JGanttCommand 
                 Element 
                 p1: 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Configuration Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Name 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 Index 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttConfigurationIndex 
                 1 
               
               
                 RefToIndex 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttConfigurationIndex 
                 1 
               
               
                 Value 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Column Node 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Attributes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 ColumnId 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 HeaderName 
                 Element 
                 p1: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Name 
                 1 
               
               
                 Type 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttColumnTypeCode 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 enumeration = “header, tree, label, combo, icon, date” 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TypeVal 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 Width 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttStringValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 InputLength 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttValue 
                 1 
               
               
                 Position 
                 Element 
                 CommonGanttColumnPosition 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Actions 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Associations 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 Queries 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;not applicable&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example GANTT chart  600  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The GANTT chart  600  may display a name for the object, a person responsible, the priority of the associate object, the status, and other details. For example, basic data  602  of the GANTT chart  600  may include information which may be inputted via an open field or drop-down menu selection. Such information may include name, status (e.g., “in planning”, “completed”), person responsible (e.g., identifier, a person&#39;s name), project type (e.g., “overhead cost project”), and priority. Other information may include the project identifier (e.g., DC159—which may be identified in the GANTT chart  600  in a separate area  604  for display—this separate area of display  604  shows the attributes of the nodes), project language (e.g., French), on hold indicator, time approval indicator, and other matters. In the GANNT chart  600 , the time schedule  606  may be displayed using graphical bars showing the requisite information. In this embodiment, the time et al. may be set by the controller object. In this embodiment, one may modify the dates and/or duration of a project element in the graphical view of the GANTT chart. For example, one may select the respective project element bar and move, enlarge, or shorten it. And, dependencies may be drawn between the project elements. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example work breakdown structure  700  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , the work breakdown structure may include a display of the possible templates  702 . For example, possible templates may include a phase template, task template, and/or milestone template, among others. The work breakdown structure also may include a display of the actual work breakdown between entities  704 . For example, the name of the object may be displayed with the information of the status and person(s) responsible in a graphical view. This graphical view may indicate the relations between the sub-workflow matters (e.g., DC159-1 and DC159-2). 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example network diagram or structure  800  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , the network diagram  800  may include a display of the templates  802 . For example, possible templates may include a phase template, task template, and/or milestone template. The network diagram of the different entities  804  may display their network relationship via a shape in the lower right hand portion of each graphical text box. For example, the two boxes stemming from the main cohen box indicate their network status with an oval shape in the lower right hand corner, while the main cohen box indicates its network status with a triangle shape. Various other information may be displayed as shown and as might be contemplated. Dependencies between the project elements shown by the graphical text boxes may be drawn. 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example structure of a GANTT controller business object  900  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The business object displayed has a structure indicated by the screen  902  which indicates the description of the object, e.g., root, the properties of the object, the assigned data structure of the object including the name and namespace or location of same, and the associated data structure description. A screen  904  may also indicate in a different view the various features of the root in a different fashion, including the item and any associated bar and relationship information, the interaction having an associated parameter and interactiondropdown menu option, configuration, and column information. A screen  906  may also be displayed indicate, for example, a list of design objects, or other lists that may be displayed upon user request and/or a predefined request. 
         [0028]    Although the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of various embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth below. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention. 
         [0029]    It should be understood that there exist implementations of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects, as may be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the invention is not limited by specific embodiments described herein. Features and embodiments described above may be combined with each other in various ways providing further embodiments. The present application is therefore contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principals disclosed and claimed herein.