Abstract: This invention relates to providing a system for project planning and scheduling which supports simplified, interactive, graphics-based project planning and scheduling using new planning concepts, new scheduling concepts and new graphics-based software systems. Further, this invention permits an inexperienced user to simultaneously plan and schedule a project including establishing appropriate relationship (or dependency) links between activities, also commonly referred to as tasks, and between activities and milestones. This invention offers the simplest possible scheme of thought that can tie together activities, relationships and milestones, with or without deadlines, to yield a complete, correct network project schedule in the shortest possible time.

Abstract: A graphical forensic scheduling system is described. The system may receive a data date on a time-scaled project schedule. The system may calculate link gaps based on predecessor and successor relevant dates on either side of the data date. The system may automatically correct logic ties if actual dates for related activities are out-of-sequence. The system may calculate and display forensic floats, forensic drifts, and forensic total floats for actualized activities based on an algorithmic function of all link gaps on either side of the data date, i.e. forensic gap or otherwise. The as-built critical path may be determined based on the forensic total floats. The system may continuously and automatically refresh in real-time, forensic float, forensic drift and forensic total float any time a gap on either side of the data date takes on a revised value due to activities being repositioned on the timescale.

Abstract: A graphical planning and scheduling system is described. The system is based on the Graphical Planning Method and object oriented principles. The system is graphics-driven and may support gestural and surface computing. The system may allow resource leveling, schedule optimization, and time/cost tradeoffs to occur interactively on a display and in conjunction with network construction. The system may allow forward and backward planning and scheduling of projects. The system may also allow project stakeholders to interactively participate in collaborative planning and scheduling sessions.

Abstract: This invention relates to providing a system for project planning and scheduling which supports simplified, interactive, graphics-based project planning and scheduling using new planning concepts, new scheduling concepts and new graphics-based software systems. Further, this invention permits an inexperienced user to simultaneously plan and schedule a project including establishing appropriate relationship (or dependency) links between activities, also commonly referred to as tasks, and between activities and milestones. This invention offers the simplest possible scheme of thought that can tie together activities, relationships and milestones, with or without deadlines, to yield a complete, correct network project schedule in the shortest possible time.