GB2260627A

GB2260627A - Data integrity in a project control apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2260627A
Application number: GB9122081A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Flynn; Irene O'brien
Original assignee: Pettit
Current assignee: Pettit
Priority date: 1991-10-31
Filing date: 1991-10-17
Publication date: 1993-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-17
Also published as: BE1003324A6; GB2260627B; GB9122081D0

Abstract

In an interfacing process carried out by a project control apparatus to ensure integrity of received code, a controller continuously monitors user interfaces for reception of code from a user. A standard validation routine stored in a storage device is merged with the received code to generate a specific validation routine for carrying out comparison operations with reference code in the storage device. If the received code is numerical, a register is incremented automatically with an additional received code value to continuously maintain a batch total. The batch total is automatically displayed at the user interface. The controller prevents write instructions to the storage device unless a positive verification signal of the batch total is received at the user interface.

Description

"Improved data integrity in a project control apparatus" The present invention relates to a project control apparatus and particularly, to the improvement of data integrity in a project control apparatus.

The project control apparatus of the invention includes a storage device for storage of databases relating to one or more projects such as a construction project. Data which is inputted to the databases includes financial budgets for projects, estimates for completion of stages of projects, time data for labour in a project, expenses incurred for a project and other relevant data. A controller of the apparatus processes data to generate work in progress reports, month-end reports, historical data relating to previous projects, cash flow projections and various other reports which are useful in project control. In such an apparatus, one item of data may be related to several other items of data and in general there are a large number of inter-dependencies of data items.For example, a completion date for a stage in a project is used to determine a critical path for completion of the project and estimated completion dates for other stages. If this date is incorrect, false projections are generated and not only does the project control apparatus generate useless information but users may not be aware of this and could make bad decisions based on the false information. This is clearly not satisfactory.

The main problem in ensuring data integrity in a project control apparatus is to ensure that data which is received and stored in the databases is correct. This is often difficult when there are many users and when different data is being inputted, for each of which there is a different data input format.

The present invention is directed towards providing a process for interfacing carried out by a project control apparatus to overcome this problem.

According to the invention, there is provided an interfacing process carried out by a controller of a project control apparatus comprising a storage device for storing a project control database, a random access memory circuit, a graphics printer and a user interface, the process comprising the steps of: initially storing a standard validation routine in the storage device, there being a standard validation routine for each type of code received at the user interface; initially storing a set of reference codes for each code type in the storage device; continuously monitoring operations of the user interface; receiving a user code at the user interface and storing the received code in a buffer circuit; identifying the code type; carrying out the following operations if the code is non-numeric:- retrieving an associated standard validation routine; generating a specific validation routine by merging the received code with the retrieved standard validation routine; comparing the received code with the associated set of reference codes according to the specific validation routine; transmitting the received code from the buffer circuit to the storage device if the comparison is positive; directing display of the set of reference codes at the user interface if the comparison is negative; carrying out the following batch processing operations if the code is numerical; storing the value of a received numerical code in a register; continuously monitoring the user interface for reception of further numerical code within a pre-set time period; writing the original numerical code to the storage device if additional numerical code is not received and a verification signal is received at the user interface which verifies the original numerical code; incrementing the value in the register by the value of an additional received numerical code; displaying the incremented value for each additional numerical code received; displaying a prompt for reception of a verification signal from a user when additional numerical codes are not received and displaying the batch total; if a positive verification signal is received, writing the code to the storage device; and if a negative verification signal is received, disabling write instructions to the storage device and displaying a prompt at the user interface for input of additional code.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a project control apparatus of the invention, and Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) show an interfacing process carried out by the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a project control apparatus of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a controller 2 which in this embodiment is the control unit of a file server, having a random access memory circuit (RAM) 2(a). The controller 2 is connected to a fixed disk drive 3 which stores databases and programs. A user interface, namely, a microcomputer 4 is connected directly to the controller 2 and a back-up tape unit 5 is connected to the microcomputer 4.

The controller 2 is also connected in a local area network 6 having a number of microcomputers 7. Further, the controller 2 is connected to a pair of graphical printers, namely, plotters 8.

In operation, the apparatus 1 stores data in databases in the fixed disk drive 3. The data may relate to several projects, each of which is identified by a unique project number.

Further, programs are stored for directing processing of the data in generation of outputs which are either displayed at the microcomputers 4 or 7, or printed at the plotters 8. In more detail, the databases include dates for completion of stages of a project and a program would include critical path analysis or equivalent programs for generation of estimated dates for stages of a project. This data, in turn, is used for determination of other management information such as project and overhead costs and analysis of budgeted costs. It will thus be apparent that integrity of the data which is used in generation of estimates is important.

Referring to Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), there is illustrated an interfacing process carried out by the controller 2 to ensure that data integrity is maintained. Steps 10 and 11 of Fig.

2(a) are essentially initialisation steps which are carried out by the controller 2 under instructions from a user. In step 10, a standard validation routine is stored in the fixed disk drive 3 for each type of code which is to be received at a microcomputer 4 or 7. In this specification, the term "code" is intended to cover any item of data which is received and stored in databases of the fixed disk drive 3. For example, a code may be an alphanumeric code indicating information such as "EN" indicating that an employee working on a contract is of engineering status, or the code "M" indicating that a certain project is in the mechanical engineering field. Alternatively, a code may be numerical such as a value for hours worked or for material costs.

In step 11, the controller 2 directs storage in a database of the fixed disk drive 3 of a set of reference codes for each code type. Thus, there is at least one set of reference codes associated with each standard validation routine. Examples of sets of reference codes are as follows: Discipline of Proiect Emplovee Status A(rchitectural) EN - Engineering C(ivil) DR - Draughtsman E(lectrical) DI - Director G(management) PM - Project Manager M(echanical) AD - Administration P(rocess) AR - Architect S(ructural) QS - Quantity Surveyor Q(Cost Control) While both the standard validation routines and these sets of reference codes are pre-set, they may be amended at any stage by the controller 2 under instructions from a user.This is important as it may be necessary to add, for example, additional employee status codes as desired.

After initialisation, the controller 2 continuously monitors the user interfaces, namely, the microcomputers 4 and 7 for reception of codes, either for writing to a database or for an enquiry or another function. This is indicated as a distinct step for clarity, however, in practice the step is continuously carried on an on-going basis. If a code has been received at a keyboard of a microcomputer 4 or 7, this is stored in a buffer circuit associated with the keyboard and the controller 2 monitors the contents of the buffer circuit.

In step 13(a), the controller 2 identifies the type of code which has been received. This is readily determined by monitoring of the process being carried out under direction of software retrieved from the fixed disk 3. In step 13(b), the controller 2 determines if the code is numeric or non-numeric.

If numeric, the controller 2 proceed directly to step 21, and if not, to step 14. In step 14, the code type is used to identify the relevant standard validation routine and the controller 2 subsequently retrieves both the standard validation routine from the fixed disk 3 and the associated set of reference codes from the database within the fixed disk 3. In step 15, the received code stored in the interface buffer circuit is merged with the standard validation routine to generate a specific validation routine for that received code. The received code is compared with the set of reference codes in step 16 under the control of the specific validation routine and in step 17, the controller 2 determines if the code is valid according to the comparison.If the code is not valid the controller 2 transmits the set of reference codes to the macro computer 4 or 7 for display and also directs display of a prompt for user input of an alternative code. The process is then repeated. If, however, the code is valid the controller 2 allows writing of the code from the interface buffer circuit to the database in the fixed disk drive 3.

Arising out of step 13(b), if the code is numerical such as the number of hours worked for employees or the cost of materials, the controller 2 stores the numerical value of the received code in a register in step 21 (see Fig. 2(b)) while continuously monitoring the user interface, the controller 2 determines if the same code type is received within a pre-set time period after receiving of the first code. If not, no action is taken, as indicated. If, however, a further numerical code of the same type is received the controller 2 increments the value in the register in step 24. This incremented value is displayed at the relevant user interface in sept 25. If a request is received at the appropriate user interface for writing of the received codes to the database, the controller 2 directs display of a prompt for user input of a verification signal in step 26.In practice, the total may be the total number of hours worked in a week for a number of employees. In this case, as with all numerical codes, the code itself may be of the correct format but the numerical values may be wrong. If this is the case the batch total stored in the register will not tally with a separate batch total prepared by the user and a false verification signal is received at the user interface. In step 27, the controller 2 monitors the verification signal and, if false, the controller 2 disables the write instructions to the fixed disk drive 3 in step 28 and in step 29 displays a prompt for input of a further code as an amendment of the code already stored in the interface buffer circuit.The process is then repeated until a "true" verification signal is received and in step 30 the controller 2 writes the received code from the buffer circuit to the fixed disk drive 3. Thereafter the data may be processed according to programs in the fixed disk drive 3 to generate graphical reports at the plotters 8.

It will be appreciated that in this manner the controller 2 carries out on-line operations on a continuous basis to ensure integrity of received data. It is considerably more efficient for a controller to carry out on-line verification operations in this manner than to locate faulty codes if they have already been stored in a fixed disk drive 3. Further, by eliminating incorrect codes in the beginning, processing of incorrect data is avoided and users have confidence in the integrity of reports generated using the stored data. This is a very important feature of the invention as it allows use of a computer apparatus in project control in a very useful manner.

It will also be appreciated that by carrying out many of the verification operations according to validation routines which are stored in the fixed disk drive 3, relatively little storage space is required of the fixed disk drive 3 and relatively little processing power is also required. This is achieved primarily because the validation routine may be retrieved irrespective of what processing operation is being carried. Although operations according to the validation routines have been described on receipt of codes, the validation routines are also used during processing operations if codes are generated by the controller 2 according to various processing programs.

It is envisaged that the validation routines may also include processing instructions so that in addition to verifying received codes, processing operations may be carried out, if required. Further, it will be appreciated that the matter in which additional codes may be created is relatively simple because it is only necessary to amend the set of reference codes and amendment of programs is not necessary.

Claims

1. An interfacing process carried out by a controller of a project control apparatus comprising a storage device for storing a project control database, a random access memory circuit, a graphics printer and a user interface, the process comprising the steps of: initially storing a standard validation routine in the storage device, there being a standard validation routine for each type of code received at the user interface; initially storing a set of reference codes for each code type in the storage device; continuously monitoring operations of the user interface; receiving a user code at the user interface and storing the received code in a buffer circuit; identifying the code type; carrying out the following operations if the code is non-numeric : - retrieving an associated standard validation routine; generating a specific validation routine by merging the received code with the retrieved standard validation routine; comparing the received code with the associated set of reference codes according to the specific validation routine; transmitting the received code from the buffer circuit to the storage device if the comparison is positive; directing display of the set of reference codes at the user interface if the comparison is negative; carrying out the following batch processing operations if the code is numerical; storing the value of a received numerical code in a register; continuously monitoring the user interface for reception of further numerical code within a pre-set time period; writing the original numerical code to the storage device if additional numerical code is not received and a verification signal is received at the user interface which verifies the original numerical code; incrementing the value in the register by the value of an additional received numerical code; displaying the incremented value for each additional numerical code received; displaying a prompt for reception of a verification signal from a user when additional numerical codes are not received and displaying the batch total; if a positive verification signal is received, writing the code to the storage device; and if a negative verification signal is received, disabling write instructions to the storage device and displaying a prompt at the user interface for input of additional code.

2. An interfacing process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.