Patent Publication Number: US-2004049414-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for sharing information related to a continuous process improvement project

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention related generally to an apparatus and method for sharing information related to a continuous process improvement project and, more particularly, to a system and method for relaying information from a plurality of remote sites to a central location and sharing information related to a project between the plurality of remote sites and the central location.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Electronic mail has been the primary means for reporting changes, improvements and best practices from the results of dealer process continuous improvement team efforts. However, inconsistent data entry and format and a lack of data entry are a result of using electronic mail for this purpose. For example, the data may be received on a form via facsimile or by mail or electronically in different document formats. As a result, data integration and sharing of data between various segments of a business operation become extremely difficult.  
       [0003] Moreover, substantial delays associated with tracking and viewing improvement and best practice reports on projects from start to finish are a result of the present method of continuous process improvement in a business entity. Many of the existing systems do not allow dealers and individuals who are working on the same type of project to track the progress or methods used on a similar project until the project is fully completed. Consequently, an entity is prevented from taking advantage of a more efficient method of doing business and improving similar work on a similar project, thereby minimizing or prohibiting cost savings realized by the entity and its customers.  
       [0004] The present invention is directed at solving one or more of the problems as set forth above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites and a central location is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one form from the central location on a computer network to the plurality of remote sites over a communications data link, relaying project information input into the form at one of the plurality of remote sites to the central location over the communications data link and providing access to the project information to the plurality of remote sites.  
       [0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a system for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites and a central location is provided. This system includes a central computer at the central location for storing a form. This system further includes a remote computer at each of the plurality of remote sites for accessing the form from the central computer and relaying project information input into the form by an input user at one of the plurality of remote sites to the central computer. The central computer is adapted to collect, store and relay the project information to the remote computer at each of the plurality of remote sites. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites;  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites;  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustration of an input user operating at a remote site using a graphical user interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Login Page Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Home Page Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Home Page Menu on the screen of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Process Improvement Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Process Improvement Menu on the screen of FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Project Registration Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Administrator Report Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Project Reporting Menu on the screen of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Manage Dealer Project Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention  
     [0019]FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Manage Dealer Project Menu on the screen of FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Dealer Project Report Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 15A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Situation Assessment Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 15B is a diagrammatic illustration of a Gap Analysis Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 15C is a diagrammatic illustration of a First Process Map Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIG. 15D is a diagrammatic illustration of a Statement Worksheet Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0025]FIG. 15E is a diagrammatic illustration of a Data Decision Worksheet Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0026]FIG. 15F is a diagrammatic illustration of an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 16A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Determine Causes Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 16B is a diagrammatic illustration of a Cause And Effect Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0028]FIG. 16C is a diagrammatic illustration of a Pareto Chart Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0029]FIG. 17A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Target Solutions Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 17B is a diagrammatic illustration of a Redefine Worksheet Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 17C is a diagrammatic illustration of an Impact and Effort Table Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 17D is a diagrammatic illustration of an Impact and Effort Grid Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0033]FIG. 17E is a diagrammatic illustration of an Solution and Impact Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0034]FIG. 17F is a diagrammatic illustration of a Second Process Map Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0035]FIG. 17G is a diagrammatic illustration of a Balance Sheet Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0036]FIG. 17H is a diagrammatic illustration of a Weighted Voting Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0037]FIG. 17I is a diagrammatic illustration of a Criteria Screen Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0038]FIG. 18A is a diagrammatic illustration of an Implementation Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0039]FIG. 18B is a diagrammatic illustration of an Action Plan Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0040]FIG. 19A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Continuous Improvement Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0041]FIG. 19B is a diagrammatic illustration of a Run Chart Tool Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0042]FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Attachments Text Box on the screen of FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0043]FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Save As Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0044]FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Executive Summary Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0045]FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Executive Summary Text Box on the screen of FIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0046]FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Executive Summary Results Text Box on the screen of FIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0047]FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Best Practices Projects Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0048]FIG. 26A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Consolidated Process Overview Table on the screen of FIG. 25, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0049]FIG. 26B is a diagrammatic illustration of Project Link Action Keys on the table of FIG. 26A, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0050]FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Search Best Practices Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0051]FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Search Results Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0052]FIG. 31 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Team Members Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0053]FIG. 32A is a diagrammatic illustration of a Manage Best Practice Projects Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0054]FIG. 32B is a diagrammatic illustration of a Manage Best Practice Projects Menu on the screen of FIG. 32A, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0055]FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Change Year Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0056]FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Add New Project Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0057]FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Manage Administrators Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0058]FIG. 36 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Edit Project Attributes Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0059]FIG. 37 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Delete Project Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0060]FIG. 38 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Add Dealer Project Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0061]FIG. 39 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Edit Consolidated Process Overview Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0062]FIG. 40 is a diagrammatic illustration of an Edit Dealer Attributes Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0063]FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic illustration of a Delete Dealer Project Screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0064] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention relates to a system  102  and method for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project  1450  of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  and a central location  110 . With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , a system for sharing information among three remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  is shown. However, the present system is applicable to systems with two remote sites or more than three remote sites. The remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  communicate with the central location  110  on a computer network  120  via a communications data link  100 .  
     [0065] In the preferred embodiment, the data communications link  100  could be a satellite, a modem and a cable television network.  
     [0066] A central computer  112  at the central location  110  stores a form or forms which is accessible by the remote computer  114 ,  116 ,  118  at each of the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  over the communications data link  100 . The forms can be found on one or more computer screens, as described below. Project information input into the form by an input user  306  at one of the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  is relayed to the central computer  112  over the communications data link  100 . The central computer  112  is adapted to collect, store and relay the project information to the remote computer  114 ,  116 ,  118  at each of the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  over the communications data link  100 .  
     [0067] With reference to FIG. 2, a method for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project  1450  of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  and a central location  110  is provided. In a first control block  202 , at least one form is provided to a plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  over the communications data link  100  from a central location  110  on a computer network  120 . In a second control block  204 , the information input into the form at one of the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  is relayed to the central location  110  over the communications data link  100 . In a third control block  206 , access to the information is provided to the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108 .  
     [0068] In one embodiment, the method and system of the present invention may be used by a manufacturer and dealers. However, the present invention is equally applicable to other business environments involving information sharing among multiple remote sites. For example a company having distributed offices, or a business and their associated supplies, etc.  
     [0069] A dealer at the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108  creates a continuous improvement team to identify and address business processes to improve efficiencies and reduce costs of a business operation. The team measures performance to gauge the effectiveness of business processes, services, products and the overall organization and targets processes for improvement that will make a significant impact. The targeted processes become projects in which the team generates a report to capture the project identified and share project information. In particular, the project information shared consists of an opportunity for improvement identified, causes of the opportunity for improvement considered, solution alternatives evaluated, a selected solution implemented and steps taken for maintenance of the new process and monitoring results.  
     [0070] With specific reference to FIG. 3, the project information is entered into the form provided from the central location  110 , wherein the central location  110  may have a web server  128  including a global directory server  130  wherein a database  122  resides having data tables  124  and an access control module  126 . The dealer acquires access to the database  122  residing on a web site for project registration and accessing a form to input the project information. The dealer then relays the project information to the central location  110 . An administrator residing at the central location  110  creates a form for the continuous process improvement project report. A dealer facilitator having access rights to the form then enters the project registation information into the form residing at the central location  110 . Upon completing information entry, the dealer facilitator submits the information to the central location  110 , and the project information is available for sharing with the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108 . A start date is assigned to the project. The start date assiged is the date on which the administrator created the form for the continuous process improvement project. A modification date is assigned each time the project information is modified.  
     [0071] Subsequently, throughout the course of the project, a team member updates the project report from a remote site  104 ,  106 ,  108 , i.e., a dealer, with project information. At the conclusion of the project, a team member creates an executive summary from an executive summary form accessed from the remote site  104 ,  106 ,  108 . Again, the project information is entered on the form in a condensed format and relayed to the central location  110 . After the project report and executive summary are created, each can be accessed by access users  308 ,  310  at any of the plurality of remote locations  104 ,  106 ,  108  through a best practices database  132 . The best practices database  132  is created and maintained by the administrator.  
     [0072] Administrators have almost exclusive access to various screens for manipulating a database  122 . For instance, a Team Members Screen  3100 , as shown in FIG. 31 allows an administrator and a facilitator to manage a dealer project&#39;s team. With reference to FIG. 32, a Manage Best Practice Projects Screen  3200  allows an administrator to create an administrator report and manipulate projects and databases by selecting a desired project element as shown in a Manage Best Practice Projects Menu  3250 . As shown in FIG. 33, A Change Year Screen  3300  allows an administrator to manage years for best practice databases  132  and project reports. With reference to FIG. 34, an Add New Project Screen  3400  allows an administrator to add new projects. A Manage Administrators Screen  3500  allows administrators to manage administrators and includes a list of current users assigned to an administrator and contact information for each assigned user.  
     [0073] Exclusive administrator access screens further include an Edit Project Attributes Screen  3600  for allowing administrators to edit attributes of an existing continuous process improvement project  1450 , as shown in FIG. 36.  
     [0074] With reference to FIG. 37, a Delete Project Screen  3700  allows an administrator to delete an existing continuous process improvement project  1450 .  
     [0075] With reference to FIG. 38, an Add Dealer Project Screen  3800  allows an administrator to add new continuous process improvement projects  1450 . With reference to FIG. 39, an Edit Consolidated Process Overview Screen  3900  allows an administrator to manage a consolidated process overview of the continuous process improvement project  1450 . As shown in FIG. 40, an Edit Dealer Attributes Screen  4000  allows an administrator to edit attributes of an existing dealer project. With reference to FIG. 41, a Delete Dealer Project Screen  4100  allows an administrator to delete an existing dealer project.  
     [0076] For the purposes of this invention, the information shared is project information relating to a continuous process improvement project  1450 . With reference to FIGS.  4 - 30 , the present invention provides a graphical user interface  304  for use by an input user  306  and an access user  308 ,  310  to interface with the system  102 .  
     [0077] With reference to FIG. 4, the graphical user interface  304  includes a Login Screen  400  including a Login Id Text Box  402  and a Password Text Box  404  for the input user  306  and access user  308 ,  310  to gain access to a database  122  of forms and project information in the system  102 .  
     [0078] With reference to FIG. 5, after performing a successful login into the system  102 , the graphical user interface  304  displays a Home Page Screen  500 . The Home Page Screen  500  includes a Home Page Menu  600 , as shown in FIG. 6, where the input user  306  and access users  308 ,  310  select a Dealer Process Improvement/Best Practices Button  602  from the Home Page Menu  600  to navigate to a Process Improvement Screen  700 .  
     [0079] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the Dealer Process Improvement Screen  700  includes a Process Improvement Menu  800 , as shown in FIG. 8. From the Process Improvement Menu  800 , the input user  306  selects a Project Registration Item  802  to register a new project.  
     [0080] With reference to FIG. 9, the new project is registered on the Project Registration Screen  900 . In particular, the Project Registration Screen  900 , for inputting information by the input user  306  to register a project, includes a Dealer Name Text Box  902 , a Project Title Text Box  904  and a Project Classification Text Box  906 . The Project Registration Screen  900  further includes a Facilitator Text Box  908 , a Facilitator Store Location Text Box  910 , a Facilitator Phone Number Text Box  912 , a Facilitator Fax Number Text Box  914  and Facilitator Internet E-mail Address Text Box  916 . In addition, the Project Registration Screen  900  includes an Executive Sponsor Text Box  918 , an Executive Sponsor Store Location Text Box  920  and a District Contact Text Box  922 .  
     [0081] After the information is input, the input user  306  selects a Submit Button  924 , to relay the information from the remote location  104 ,  106 ,  108  to the central location  110 , or a Reset Button  926  to clear the text boxes  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  908 ,  910 ,  912 ,  914 ,  916 ,  918 ,  920 ,  922  on the screen  900  and enter information for another project. Upon receipt of the information at the central location  110 , an administrator creates a dealer project report containing the information for project identification and enables the input user  306  to input additional project information.  
     [0082] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, following submission of the project registration information, an Administrator Report Screen  1000  is displayed, which includes a Project Reporting Menu  1100 .  
     [0083] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the input user  306  selects the Manage Item  1106  from the Project Reporting Menu  1100  to display a Manage Dealer Project Screen  1200  having a Manage Dealer Project Menu  1300 . The Manage Dealer Project Menu  1300  includes an Executive Summary Item  1302 , a Dealer Project Report Item  1304  and a Team Item  1306  for entering team members involved in the project.  
     [0084] With reference to FIG. 14, selecting the Dealer Project Report Item  1304  displays a Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  containing the information entered on the Project Registration Screen  900  and manipulated by the administrator.  
     [0085] The information manipulated into project information by the administrator includes at least one Project Identifier Data Field  1402 , Project Description Data Field  1404  and a Project Classification Data Field  1418 . The project information further includes a Start Date Data Field  1406 , a Modification Date Data Field  1408  and a Completion Date Data Field  1410 . In addition, the project information includes a Dealer Name Data Field  1412 , a Facilitator Name Data Field  1414  and a Facilitator Contact Data Field  1416  for providing means for communicating with a facilitator.  
     [0086] With reference to FIG. 15A, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes a Situation Assessment Text Box  1500  having situation assessment information  1502 . The situation assessment information  1502  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 ,  310 . The situation assessment information  1502  describes a problem or an opportunity for improvement of a current process, customer requirements and measurement techniques of improvement efforts. The situation assessment information  1502  includes a first problem description, a first improvement opportunity description, a current process description, a customer requirement description and a measurement description relating to measuring improvement resulting from the continuous process improvement project  1450 .  
     [0087] Several analysis tools may be used throughout the continuous process improvement project for determining project information. Moreover, these analysis tools may be provided in forms from the central location  110  and viewed on screens at the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108 . For example, with reference to FIGS.  15 B-F, several tools are available for defining an opportunity for improvement including a Gap Analysis Tool, a Process Map Tool, a Statement Worksheet Tool, a Decision Worksheet Tool and an Involvement Worksheet Tool. The graphic user interface  400  includes a Gap Analysis Tool Screen  1550 , a First Process Map Tool Screen  1560 , a Statement Worksheet Tool Screen  1570 , a Decision Worksheet Tool Screen  1580  and an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen  1590  for providing access to these tools, respectively.  
     [0088] With reference to FIG. 16A, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes a Determine Causes Text Box  1600  for causal information  1602  describing causes of the opportunity for improvement and cause analysis and verification. The causal information  1602  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 ,  310 . The causal information includes a cause identification description, a cause analysis description, a first cause verification description, at least one symptom description and at least one root cause description relating to each at least one symptom description.  
     [0089] With reference to FIGS.  16 B-C, various tools are available for identifying, analyzing and verifying causes including a Cause and Effect Tool Screen  1650 , a Pareto Chart Tool Screen  1670 , an Impact and Effort Grid Tool Screen  1777 , a Solution and Impact Tool Screen  1780  and an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen  1590 .  
     [0090] With reference to FIG. 17A, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes a Target Solutions Text Box  1700  for solution information  1702  listing potential solutions and selected solutions for the opportunity for improvement, thereby resulting in a new process. The solution information  1702  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 , 310 . The solution information includes at least one potential solution description and a first selected solution description for creating an improved process.  
     [0091] With reference to FIGS.  17 B-I, various tools are available for identifying and selecting solutions including a Redefine Worksheet Tool Screen  1770 , an Impact and Effort Grid Tool Screen  1777 , a Solution and Impact Tool Screen  1780 , a Second Process Map Tool Screen  1785 , a Balance Sheet Tool Screen  1790 , a Weighted Voting Tool Screen  1795 , a Criteria Screen Tool Screen  1797  and an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen  1590 .  
     [0092] With reference to FIG. 18A, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes an Implementation Text Box  1800  for solution implementation information  1802  describing how the new process was deployed and how the effectiveness of the new process was evaluated. The solution implementation information  1802  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 ,  310 . The solution implementation information includes a first solution deployment description and a first solution effectiveness description.  
     [0093] With reference to FIG. 18B, various tools are available for determining deployment and implementation plans including an Action Plan Tool Screen  1850 , a First Process Map Tool Screen  1560  and an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen  1590 .  
     [0094] With reference to FIG. 19A, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes a Continuous Improvement Text Box  1900  having continuous process improvement information  1902  for evaluating results of the new process. The continuous process improvement information  1902  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 ,  310 . The continuous process improvement information  1902  includes a comparison description relating to first former process results and first new process results, a value description relating to monetary value of the first new process results, a benefit description and a maintenance plan description. In addition, where more than one process result is used to track process improvement, the continuous process improvement information  1902  may include a summary comparison description relating to second former process results and second new process results.  
     [0095] With reference to FIG. 19B, various tools are available for evaluating results of the new process including a Run Chart Tool Screen  1950 , Gap Analysis Tool Screen  1550  and an Involvement Worksheet Tool Screen  1590 .  
     [0096] With reference to FIG. 20, the Dealer Project Report Screen  1400  further includes an Attachments Text Box  2000  for assigning an attachment  2010  to the continuous process improvement project ( 1450 ) including procedure flowcharts, process steps lists and diagrams.  
     [0097] With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, an attachment  2010  having attachment information is uploaded to a list of attachments  2010  associated with the continuous process improvement project ( 1450 ) using a Browse Button  2014  to locate the attachment and a Submit Button  1420  for uploading the attachment. Selecting the attachment  2010  will display a Save As Screen  2100  for saving and viewing the attachment information  
     [0098] Returning to FIG. 13, an input user  306  selects the Executive Summary Item  1302  on the Manage Dealer Project Menu  1300  to display an Executive Summary Screen  2200 , as shown in FIG. 22.  
     [0099] With reference to FIG. 23, the Executive Summary Screen  2200  includes an Executive Summary Text Box  2300  for summary information  2302 . The summary information  2302  may be input by an input user  306  or viewed by an access user  308 ,  310 . The summary information  2302  includes a summary problem description, a summary improvement opportunity description and a summary cause verification description. The summary information  2302  further includes a summary selected solution description, a summary solution deployment description, a summary solution effectiveness description and a benefit description. As shown in FIG. 24, the summary information  2302  further includes an Executive Summary Results Text Box  2400 . In particular, the Executive Summary Results Text Box  2400  includes a summary comparison description  2402  relating to first former process results  2406  and first new process results  2408  and a summary value description  2410 ,  2412  relating to monetary value of the first new process results  2408 . In addition, where more than one process result is used to track process improvement, the Executive Summary Results Text Box  2400  may include a summary comparison description relating to second former process results and second new process results.  
     [0100] After the summary information is input, the input user  306  selects a Submit Button  2220 , to relay the information from the remote location  104 ,  106 ,  108  to the central location  110 , or a Start Over Button  2222  to clear the Text Box  2400  on the screen  2300  and enter summary information for another project.  
     [0101] Project reports having project information are maintained by the administrator on a best practices database  132  at the central location  110 . The best practices database  132  is accessed by selecting the best practices year  806  desired from the Process Improvement Menu  800 , as shown in FIG. 8.  
     [0102] With reference to FIG. 25, a Best Practices Projects Screen  2500  is displayed showing Project Identifier Data Fields  2502  and Category Data Fields  2504 .  
     [0103] With reference to FIG. 26A, selecting a Project Identifier Data Field (DPI Code)  2502  displays a table or list of dealer projects for the respective project category in which more than five dealers have worked on the same process. Project reports having project information or executive summaries can be viewed by selecting the appropriate key of the Project Link Action Keys  2604 ,  2606 , as shown in FIG. 26B.  
     [0104] Access users  308 ,  310  can perform a search of projects according to dealer project attributes in a best practices database  132  from a Search Best Practices Screen  2900 , as shown in FIG. 29. Upon entering project attributes and selecting a Submit Button  2914 , a Search Results Screen  3000  is displayed, as shown in FIG. 30, showing results of searching the project attributes entered. The results displayed may be one or more projects having the project attributes searched for.  
     [0105] Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.  
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
     [0106] The present invention provides a method for sharing information relating to the status of a continuous process improvement project  1450  of a business operation between a plurality of remote sites  102  and a central location  110 . For example, the central location may be web server  128  including a global directory server  130  wherein a database  122  resides having data tables  124  and an access control module  128 . The dealer acquires access to the database  122  residing on the web server  128  for project registration and accesses a form to input the project information, then relays the project information to the central location  110 . An administrator residing at the central location  110  creates a form for the continuous process improvement project report. A dealer facilitator having access rights to the form then enters the project registration information into the form residing at the central location  110 . Upon completing information entry, the dealer facilitator submits the information to the central location  110 , and the project information is available for sharing with the plurality of remote sites  104 ,  106 ,  108 .  
     [0107] The present invention allows a team member to access forms and update a project report at the central location  110  with project information. At the conclusion of the project, the dealer project facilitator or a team member with security access creates an executive summary from an executive summary form accessed from the central location  110 . Again, the project information is entered on the form in a condensed format and relayed to the central location  110 . After the project report and executive summary are created, each can be accessed by access users  308 ,  310  at any of the plurality of remote locations  104 ,  106 ,  108  through a best practices database  132 .