Patent ID: 8214737

Claim:
A computer-assisted method for enabling a user to handle an event, the method comprising enabling the user to perform operations comprising: creating at least one event instance based on a predetermined event definition comprising a plurality of event parameters, the event parameters comprising one or more tasks to be completed in handling the event, a task order, a specification of data from at least one external source needed to complete the tasks, and, for each task, one or more resources associated with completing the task, the resources comprising at least one of content and functionality; linking the event instance to the predetermined event definition; processing the event instance at least in part by importing the data from the external source, and by iteratively allowing the user to select a task in accordance with the task order and providing access to the resources associated with completing the selected task; identifying an additional event definition linked to the predetermined event definition, the additional event definition comprising at least a subset of the event parameters of the predetermined event definition; receiving information identifying a modification to the predetermined event definition; and updating, based on the identified modification, at least one of the event parameters of the additional event definition, based on the identified modification, wherein: the predetermined event definition defines certain tasks as optional and other certain tasks as mandatory, the method comprises enabling the user to personalize the event instance by de-selecting any of the tasks defined as optional and specify additional resources, associated with completing tasks, that are displayed in a task page; and the event instance is updated based on the modification to the predetermined event definition.