Computer-implemented product development planning method

Claim 2

A computer system for modeling product development, comprising: a plurality of product models defined from a product model type and stored by the computer system, each product model representing a product proposed to be manufactured by an enterprise; a plurality of component models defined from a component model type and stored by the computer system, each component model representing a component from which a product is made; a plurality of task models defined from a task model type and stored by the computer system, each task model representing a task to be performed in the development of a component; a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type and stored by the computer system, each resource model representing a resource available for use in performing a task; at least one pipeline view that represents a set of tasks and assigned resources for producing a set of products; and at least one product portfolio view that represents a set of the products.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 , further comprising a genetic algorithm for providing candidate portfolios for the portfolio view.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 , wherein chromosomes of the genetic algorithm represent potential product sequences.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 , further comprising a constraint engine for building candidate schedules for the pipeline view, wherein the constraint engine builds the schedules subject to constraints associated with the model.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 , wherein the constraint engine evaluates each schedule with a score based on whether the constraints are violated.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1 , wherein the portfolio view provides financial measures associated with a portfolio.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1 , wherein the task model type comprises a resource alternative attribute representing alternative resources for performing a task.

Claim 9

The system of claim 1 , wherein the component model type comprises a task network attribute representing the tasks for providing a component.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1 , wherein the resource model type comprises a capacity attribute representing rules for allocating resources to tasks.

Claim 11

A product development planning system, comprising: an optimizing engine having a genetic algorithm and a constraint engine; an enterprise model having at least the following components: a plurality of product models defined from a product model type and stored by the computer system, each product model representing a product proposed to be manufactured by an enterprise; a plurality of component models defined from a component model type and stored by the computer system, each component model representing a component from which a product is made; a plurality of task models defined from a task model type and stored by the computer system, each task model representing a task to be performed in the development of a component; a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type and stored by the computer system, each resource model representing a resource available for use in performing a task; at least one pipeline view representing a set of tasks and assigned resources for producing a set of products; and at least one product portfolio view representing a set of the products; the genetic algorithm is operable to provide sequences of products as candidates for the portfolio view; the constraint engine being operable to provide schedules for the sequences subject to constraints of the enterprise model; and the genetic algorithm and the constraint engine being operable to cooperate to evaluate the sequences in terms of constraint violations and to improve the sequences, thereby providing the portfolio view and the pipeline view.

Claim 12

A product development planning system, comprising: an optimizing engine having a genetic algorithm and a constraint engine; an enterprise model having at least the following components: a plurality of product models defined from a product model type and stored by the computer system, each product model representing a product proposed to be manufactured by an enterprise; a plurality of component models defined from a component model type and stored by the computer system, each component model representing a component from which a product is made; a plurality of task models defined from a task model type and stored by the computer system, each task model representing a task to be performed in the development of a component; a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type and stored by the computer system, each resource model representing a resource available for use in performing a task; at least one pipeline view representing a set of tasks and assigned resources for producing a set of products; and at least one product portfolio view representing a set of the products; the genetic algorithm is operable to provide sequences of products as candidates for the portfolio view; the constraint engine being operable to provide schedules for the sequences subject to constraints of the enterprise model; and the genetic algorithm and the constraint engine being operable to cooperate to evaluate the sequences in terms of constraint violations and to improve the sequences, thereby providing the portfolio view and the pipeline view.

Claim 13

The system of claim 10 , wherein the optimizing engine is operable to respond to variations in the model input by a user, by modifying the portfolio view as incrementally affected by the variation.

Claim 14

The system of claim 10 , wherein chromosomes of the genetic algorithm represent potential product priorities.

Claim 15

The system of claim 10 , wherein the constraint engine evaluates each schedule with a score based on whether the constraints are violated.

Claim 16

The system of claim 10 , wherein the portfolio view provides financial measures associated with the portfolio.

Claim 17

The system of claim 10 , wherein the task models further represent resource alternatives for performing tasks.

Claim 18

The system of claim 10 , wherein the component model type has a task network attribute representing the tasks for providing a component.

Claim 19

The system of claim 10 , wherein the sequences are evaluated such that profit from the sequence is maximized.

Claim 20

The system of claim 10 , further comprising a presentation layer for providing displays of the views and the model.

Claim 21

The system of claim 10 , wherein the resource model type has a capacity attribute representing rules for allocating resources to tasks.

Claim 24

The method of claim 20 , further comprising responding to variations in the enterprise model input by a user by modifying a portfolio view as incrementally affected by the variation, the portfolio view representing a set of products.

Claim 25

The method of claim 20 , further comprising selecting a sequence of the products using potential product priorities.

Claim 26

The method of claim 20 , further comprising evaluating each schedule with a score based on whether the constraints are violated.

Claim 27

The method of claim 20 , wherein the task models further represent resource alternatives for performing tasks.

Claim 28

The method of claim 20 , wherein the component model type comprises a task network attribute representing the tasks for providing a component.

Claim 29

The method of claim 20 , further comprising evaluating the sequences such that profit from the sequences is maximized.

Claim 30

The method of claim 20 , further comprising providing a presentation layer that provides displays of the enterprise model.

Claim 31

The method of claim 20 , wherein the resource model type comprises a capacity attribute representing rules for allocating resources to tasks.