Abstract: Holistic tracking and monitoring of goals is provided. An indication of a first goal and a first set of attributes associated with the first goal and another indication of at least a second goal and a second set of attributes associated with the second goal are received. The first goal and at least the second goal are aggregated into a combined goal. A set of defined actions to achieve the combined goal is determined. Respective statuses of each defined action of the set of defined actions and a combined status for the combined goal are tracked. A representation of the combined status and the respective statuses are provided in a perceivable format. Further, the combined status and the respective statuses are updated in real-time.

Abstract: A Virtual Design Module (VDM) used in a networked design environment generates manufactured product designs that are near optimal in terms of cost and production cycle time by using design data files containing alternative parts and manufacturers information. Numerous product design alternatives are considered and evaluated in terms of design-manufacturing-parts-supplier feasibility and real-time information on cost and production cycle time for realization. The VDM generates a population of new designs with appropriate board design information to allow for design-manufacturer-supplier decision making and determines the feasibility of each member of the current generation of designs and rejects designs that are not feasible. The VDM triggers Mobile Software Agents (MSA) that obtain data for parts availability, cost, lead time and manufacturer data for manufacturing availability, cost and lead time for each feasible member of the current generation of designs and return the data.