Patent ID: 8027950

Claim:
A method of file management in an electronic processing system comprising: defining in the electronic system an electronic file of a selected file type and at least one electronic sub-folder within the electronic file for storing information of a corresponding information type, including: receiving file record information from an administrator to set up the electronic file and the at least one electronic sub-folder; comparing in the electronic system at least some of the received file record information with information previously stored in the electronic system; when a match occurs between the at least some of the received file record information and the information previously stored, reporting conflicting file records to the administrator; and allowing the administrator to selectively combine conflicting file records to create a single file record, selectively purge a conflicting file record, selectively make a first conflicting file record a parent and a second conflicting file record a child file record, and selectively associate conflicting file records with different files; defining roles in the electronic processing system for participants creating and utilizing the electronic file, including a role for at least one participant as an information collector, including defining a role for a reviewer; electronically tasking the information collector to collect information of the information type; selectively uploading the selected information from the information collector and selectively storing the uploaded information in the sub-folder in the electronic file, including: electronically tasking the reviewer to review and selectively accept the uploaded information prior to storage in the sub-folder; receiving an electronic rejection of the uploaded information from the reviewer; and electronically tasking a selected participant to recollect the selected information; and allowing selected ones of the participants to access the electronic file as defined by the corresponding roles.