Patent ID: 7406432

Claim:
A method for generating a hierarchy used in managing a schedule for a development project, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: generating reference data for a task in the hierarchy, the reference data referencing one or more other tasks at other levels in the hierarchy, wherein the hierarchy specifies relationships among tasks related to completion of the development project, wherein the step of generating reference data comprises: receiving specification of one or more tasks assigned to at least one specified project participant, wherein the one or more tasks are assigned through use of a computer generated web browser interface communicatively coupled to a project database over the network, and wherein the one or more tasks are specified with an associated hierarchical level; and receiving specification of one or more detail tasks hierarchically related to at least one of the one or more tasks, wherein the detail tasks are sub-tasks requiring completion to complete the at least one task, and wherein the one or more detail tasks are specified using a computer generated web browser interface communicatively coupled to a project database over the network, and wherein the one or more detail tasks are specified with an associated hierarchical level; generating schedule data for the task, the schedule data including one or more schedule dates associated with the task; wherein the schedule data includes (a) historical schedule data that includes one or more obsolete planned schedule dates associated with the task if a corresponding planned schedule date associated with the task has been changed, and (b) one or more current schedule dates associated with the task; storing the schedule data and the reference data in a database accessible over a network via a web browser; and causing a web server to display the schedule, including causing concurrent display of both the one or more obsolete planned schedule dates associated with the task and the one or more current schedule dates associated with the task.