Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
  • G06Q10/063—Operations research, analysis or management
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management

Definitions

• the present invention relates to asset lifecycle management, including employee lifecycle management. More specifically, the invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a graphical user interface for asset lifecycle management .
• a principle of asset custodianship is the effective management of assets throughout the asset lifecycle. Good business practice requires that assets be appropriately secured and maintained, used for the purposes intended, periodically accounted for, assessed to ensure their continued value to the organization and properly disposed of.
• an asset is defined as a future economic benefit that is controlled by an organization, as a result of a past transaction or event, which can be reliably measured.
• Assets are typically classifiable intangible or tangible.
• asset lifecycle management employees may be regarded as assets.
• assets may be regarded as assets.
• assets may be regarded as assets.
• assets may be regarded as assets.
• the management of an asset throughout its lifecycle includes planning and support for investment decisions,
• the objective of asset lifecycle management is to optimize asset acquisition, maximize the use of the asset and reduce associated service and
• WO2007/056656A2 discloses methods and apparatus for processing business objects, electronic forms, and work-flows.
• the system of WO2007/056656A2 empowers users to author logical business objects, author intelligent business forms, and create automated workflows.
• the logical business objects include data definitions and methods from existing and new data sources.
• An object broker interprets the business object definition and brokers data/information and method calls to the data sources.
• the intelligent business forms are created by an information worker in a rich web-based tooling
• the automated workflow tools include process discovery features that assist users during the process
• the tools assist users to identify
• Process modeling features include the ability to combine defined artifacts into a process model that can be published into a runtime environment where it can be executed and used by business users in the organization.
• the methods and apparatus disclosed in O2007/056656A2 are typically used in the context of processing customer orders, but do not provide for an employee lifecycle management solution.
• US2004 /0138934A1 discloses a method for affecting changes in a business including a multiple interrelated business processes.
• the method includes: providing a business information and decisioning control system to a user, the business information and decisioning control system having a business system user interface; generating an output result using a business model provided by the business information and decisioning control system, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business; presenting the output result to the user via the business system user interface; receiving the user's selection of a command via the business system user interface, where the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result; transmitting instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes, where the instructions are based on the command; and executing the change in the at least one interrelated business processes in response to the command.
• the disclosed method does not provide for an employee lifecycle management solution.
• a computer- implemented method for asset lifecycle management is proposed.
• the method is based on a three-dimensional model.
• the three- dimensional model comprises a first dimension defining financial aspects of an asset lifecycle.
• the three-dimensional model further comprises a second dimension defining organizational design aspects of the asset lifecycle.
• the three-dimensional model further comprises a third dimension defining risk aspects of the asset lifecycle.
• the method comprises displaying a graphical user interface.
• the graphical user interface comprises a three-dimensional representation of the model.
• the three- dimensional representation comprises a first axis representing the first dimension, a second axis representing the second dimension, and a third axis representing the third dimension.
• the graphical user interface further comprises one or more focal points in the three-dimensional representation of the model.
• Each focal point corresponds to a multi-disciplinary activity from two or more of the dimensions and/or a predefined action at a moment in time.
• the method further comprises receiving a first user input resulting in the selection of one of the focal points.
• the method further comprises performing a predefined action to the selected focal point.
• the invention provides a computer-implemented method for asset lifecycle management that enables an employer to manage the asset lifecycle without being confronted with the complexity of the many variables, actors and systems involved.
• the graphical user interface enables a clear visualization of and interaction with the focal points in the asset lifecycle.
• the embodiment of claim 2 advantageously enables an employee life cycle to be managed using the graphical user interface .
• the embodiment of claim 3 advantageously enables the boundaries of the model wherein the focal points are located to be visualized.
• the embodiment of claim 4 advantageously enables the viewpoint to be changed.
• the embodiment of claim 5 advantageously enables predefined actions to be performed related to the selected plane .
• the embodiment of claim 6 advantageously enables applications or modules to be activated related to the selected plane .
• the embodiment of claim 7 advantageously enables visualization of the activity and/or action associated with the selected focal point. This may be a starting point for
• the embodiment of claim 8 advantageously enables visualization of multiple or all activities and/or actions associated with the focal points. This may be a starting point for performing activities and/or actions.
• the embodiment of claim 9 advantageously enables visualization of a chain of activities and/or actions of a focal point.
• Software applications for performing the activities and actions in the chain may be started by selecting an activity or action .
• the embodiment of claim 10 advantageously enables tracking of the status of activities and/or actions.
• claims 11 advantageously enables an alternative visualization of the asset lifecycle.
• claims 12 advantageously enables the asset lifecycle to be graphically visualized in a more user friendly manner.
• the embodiment of claim 13 advantageously enables data from external sources to be used in the three-dimensional model without having to store or input the data locally.
• a graphical user interface is proposed that is configured to be displayed using one or more of the above described methods.
• a computer program product which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to perform one or more of the above described methods .
• Fig.l, Fig.2, Fig.3a, Fig.3b, Fig.4a and Fig.4b show examples of elements of a graphical user interface of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
• Fig.5 shows steps of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• a computer-implemented method for asset lifecycle management such as e.g. employee lifecycle management
• the software application may be a stand-alone application, but is preferably implemented as a web-based application.
• a three-dimensional graphical user interface visualizes the various aspects of the lifecycle model and enables user interaction with the software application for obtaining information and modifying data.
• assets which lifecycle is managed are employees. It is to be understood that the lifecycle of any other asset may be managed similarly and that the
• invention is not limited to employee lifecycle management.
• An asset lifecycle model includes asset specific data.
• an employee lifecycle model includes employee related data such as company characteristics, personal data and working conditions of employees, and various human resources related data. Data used by the model is stored in a standardized format to ensure compatibility with external software
• the software application typically includes a proactive process of collecting and managing information about the asset from external data sources and from manual data entries.
• the software application typically includes a proactive process of collecting and managing
• the model is used as a process-oriented approach to the most important steps in maintaining a regulated control over the execution of management tasks.
• four important steps are harmonization, integrated management, implementation and
• the model provides for a three-dimensional approach for managing an asset lifecycle, such as an employee lifecycle.
• asset lifecycle such as an employee lifecycle.
• financial aspects are processed, such as
• the model integrates elements such as knowledge, self-reflection, organizational behavior and risks.
• departments like finance/accounting, IT and human resources are centralized, while departments such as purchasing, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales decentralized.
• the second dimension of the model is based on a centralized management model, wherein e.g. a board of directors creates conditions, sets frames and guards coherence, and wherein a controlling department controls.
• risk implies that an outcome effecting choice exists or existed. Potential losses can also be risks.
• the risk is the potential that a chosen action or activity
• the software application may be used by various actors to manage the asset lifecycle.
• a human resources financial controller may use the software for employee lifecycle
• the software application is typically used to determine when
• the software may help to effectively manage social costs.
• Fig.l shows an example of a graphical user interface wherein the x-axis 1 is used for the first dimension (financial aspects) , the y-axis 2 is used for the second dimension (organizational aspects) and the z-axis 3 is used for the third dimension (risk aspects) .
• Fig.2 Important aspects along the axes may be visualized to form a three-dimensional cube 4, as shown in Fig.2.
• Fig.2 The axes of Fig.2 are the same as in Fig.l.
• the two planes 'costs' 11 and 'salary' 12 form two sides of the cube 4.
• the two planes 'human resources' 21 and 'finance/accounting' 22 form two other sides of the cube 4.
• the two planes 'public sector' 31 and 'private sector' 32 form two other sides of the cube 4.
• the software application uses the model to determine one or more focal points.
• a focal point defines a multi- disciplinary activity and/or a predefined action at a specific moment in time.
• the moments in time typically are the start of employment, the end of employment, at employment mutations and at predefined control moments .
• Figs.3a which is based on Fig.2, shows an example of a graphical user interface wherein a single focal point 5 is displayed at the center of the cube 4.
• Fig.3b which is also based on Fig.2, shows another example of a graphical user interface wherein multiple focal points 5 are displayed within the cube 4.
• Each focal point 5 represents a different multi- disciplinary activity and/or a predefined action at a specific moment in time.
• the graphical user interface is interactive. User input may be received in any known manner, e.g. by using a keyboard, a mouse or a touch screen. An object displayed in the graphical user interface may be associated with different actions
• Types of interaction are e.g. clicking or tapping, double clicking or double tapping, hovering on the object, and clicking/tabbing and holding the object.
• the types of interaction in the following examples are to be understood as exemplary and non-limiting. Any suitable type of interaction may be used.
• the cube 4 may e.g. be rotated into any direction to change the view or to get a specific plane 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32 in front of the view.
• the x, y and z-axis rotate together with the cube 4.
• the planes may be
• a focal point may have to be clicked to become selected before the planes become clickable. It is e.g. possible for a specific focal point 5 to start an external human resource application by clicking on the *human resource' plane 21 or to obtain information about private insurances by clicking the ⁇ private sector' plane 32. It is to be understood that any plane can thus be clickable to activate any internal or external software module related to the plane.
• a full lifecycle 6 including all focal points may be displayed after clicking a focal point 5. Double clicking the focal point 5 as shown in Fig.3a may e.g. result in displaying the lifecycle 6 in a listed format as shown in Fig.4a. In the listed format the focal points 5 are typically listed
• each focal point 5 represent a multi- disciplinary activity and/or a predefined action 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 at a specific moment in time.
• the rectangular boxes indicate text locations for displaying each activity and/or a predefined action 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 or a summary thereof. It is to be understood that the layout on screen may deviate from what is shown in Fig.4a.
• the lifecycle 6 as shown in Fig.4a may be displayed in a new window, in a pop-up window, as a layer or in any other known manner.
• a multi-disciplinary activity and/or a predefined action 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 may comprise multiple sub- activities and/or multiple sub-actions accessible by clicking the displayed activity/action.
• the sub-activities and sub- actions of an activity/action form a chain of activities and actions to be performed for a focal point.
• Applications to perform the sub-activities and sub-actions may be started by further selecting the sub-action or sub-action.
• each ( sub) activity/ ( sub) action may be visualized to indicate where and when activities/actions are due. If all activities and actions for a focal point are performed, this may be visualized by changing the appearance of the focal point in the graphical user interface, e.g. by
• the multi-disciplinary activity / predefined action and the sub-activities / sub-actions of a single focal point 5 may be displayed directly by clicking the focal point 5 in the graphical user interface of Fig.3a or Fig.3b. In this case displaying of the lifecycle 6 is bypassed.
• each activity/action 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 within the cube 4 is typically calculated such that all focal points 5 are visible and clickable. Displaying the lifecycle 6 as a spiral is particularly suitable for this purpose, but any other form may be used.
• the starting point 51 of the employee lifecycle 6 corresponds e.g. to the start of employment and the end point 58 of the employee lifecycle 6 corresponds e.g. to the end of employment.
• Intermediate points 52-57 correspond e.g. to
• Each activity/action 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and/or focal point 5 shown in Fig.4a and Fig.4b may be clickable to return to the graphical user interface of Fig.3a for the selected focal point 5.
• Fig.4a and Fig.4b show a subset of all activities/actions.
• the lifecycle 6 as shown in Fig.4a or Fig.4b may be displayed in a similar manner starting from the graphical user interface as shown in Fig.3b.
• asset lifecycle management becomes very user friendly and clear.
• Focal points are visualized and made accessible and the effects of mutations at focal points 5 may advantageously be visualized by updating the lifecycle 6 in the graphical user interface .
• the software application for asset lifecycle management may be implemented as an open and modular system enabling software modules to be added and data to be imported from other systems. This enables data to be imported from e.g. human resources applications, payroll systems, absence registration systems and recruitment systems. The imported data is brought into conformity and used in the determination of the focal points 5.
• the software application may have one or more modules for communication with third party systems, e.g. at a safety, health and welfare service provider or an assessment service provider. This enables the third parties to receive information or directly input data into the model.
• the software application may be implemented as a set of software components.
• An asset-lifecycle-engine component
• An expert-interface component enables access to - typically web based - applications for entering data related to the planes. Typically there are plane specific applications accessible through the expert-interface.
• a cube component displays the interactive three-dimensional cube. The planes of the cubes are clickable to access the expert-interface component.
• a user-interface component enables access to a dashboard application for end-users to obtain overviews of activities, reports and overviews generated by the asset- lifecycle-engine component.
• the software application may be used to store electronic employee files.
• Fig.5 shows steps of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• step 101 the graphical user interface is displayed.
• step 102 a user input is received resulting in the selection of a focal point 5.
• step 103 a predefined action to the selected focal point 5 is performed.
• One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system.
• the program(s) of the program product define functions of the embodiments
• Non-writable storage media e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory
• writable storage media e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid state random-access semiconductor memory or flash memory

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