Systems and methods for creating network architecture planning tools
View Patent ↗A method of creating a network architecture planning tool includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a user computer to display a first object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the object template to a user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining a first object comprising at least a function defining a next object, receiving at the host computer system a request from a user computer to display at least a second object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the at least a second object template to the user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining at least a second object relating to a network, and storing the information defining the first object and the information defining at least the second object.
1. A method of creating a planning tool, comprising:
determining a sequence of steps in a planning process relating to a network installation relating to a public switched telephone network, wherein determining a sequence of steps comprises:
assimilating requirements from a plurality of requirements sources, the plurality of requirements sources comprising one or more government regulations;
identifying parameters relating to projects that determine applicable ones of the requirements;
creating at least one step for each parameter that acquires information relating to the parameter; and
ordering the steps so as to acquire parameter information according to a particular sequence;
associating at least one object with each step in the planning process; and
linking the objects according to the sequence;
wherein each object comprises an operation and the operation depends on a location of the step associated with the object in the sequence of steps.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:
receiving at a user computer a list of objects from a host computer system; and
selecting at least one of the objects from the list to associate with a step.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:
entering information defining a first object comprising at least a function defining a next object; and
entering information defining at least a second object relating to a network.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the information defining at least the second object comprises at least one configuration item related to the network.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the information defining at least the second object comprises an action to take related to a network architecture.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the action comprises contacting an individual for information relating to the network architecture.
7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the action comprises obtaining educational information relating to the network architecture.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the educational information is located on a web site and the information defining the second object comprises a URL for the web site.
9. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the task comprises completing a form relating to the network architecture.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:
receiving at a user computer a list of object templates from a host computer system;
selecting an object template from a list of object templates;
entering information defining an object; and
transmitting the information defining the object to the host computer system.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of linking the objects according to the sequence comprises:
identifying at least one next object;
defining a condition for each of the at least one next objects; and
transmitting information relating to the at least one next object and the conditions to a host computer system.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the requirements sources further comprise a corporate policy.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the requirements sources further comprise an industry standard.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the requirements sources further comprise a supplier agreement.
15. A system for creating a planning tool, the system comprising:
a host computer system programmed to:
determine a sequence of steps in a planning process relating to a network installation relating to a public switched telephone network, wherein determining a sequence of steps comprises:
assimilating requirements from a plurality of requirements sources, the plurality of requirements sources comprising one or more government regulations;
identifying parameters relating to projects that determine applicable ones of the requirements;
creating at least one step for each parameter that acquires information relating to the parameter; and
ordering the steps so as to acquire parameter information according to a particular sequence;
associate at least one object with each step in the planning process; and
link the objects according to the sequence;
wherein each object comprises an operation and the operation depends on a location of the step associated with the object in the sequence of steps.