ORGANISATION OF INFORMATION

This invention relates to a method of organising information and to a system for organising information

In this specification "instructions" includes instructions, orders and requests.

INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When taking any action or making a decision, it is typically advantageous to consider, on the one hand, what result is to be achieved, and, on the other hand, relevant information concerning the present state of affairs and any other information or knowledge which may assist in achieving the result, for example information on past performances, know-how and so forth. To this end, the applicant believes that it would be advantageous to organise information such that information items in respect of a subject are categorised into various categories in such a manner that information items of an expectational or instructional nature are categorised separately from information items relating to past occurrences, past and present states of affairs and existing knowledge This will allow information items concerning existing resources, past performances, know-how and the like to be conveniently accessed and compared with information items of an expectational or instructional nature regarding what is to be achieved. This will, in turn, allow relevant information items to be accessed when a decision is to be made or an action is to be taken, thus enabling decisions to be made on a properly informed basis and appropriate action to be taken.

Furthermore, information items are often used within the context of a process, more particularly in the accomplishment or management of a process. Accordingly, it is believed that it would be additionally advantageous if the information items are also associated with relevant activity-characterisation categories, each of which correspond to steps of the accomplishment or management of a process.

Accomplishment of a process

The steps taken in the accomplishment of a process can be categorised to include at least some of the following steps I) DESIGN

In this step the resources needed for the process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of a process are identified, ii) SOURCE

In this step the resources which are needed for the process to accomplish the required output are obtained (e.g. ingredients, manpower, utilities) iii) EXECUTE

In this step the process is executed. IV) DELIVER

In this step the output from the process is delivered to where it is required. v) LEARN

In this step possible modifications to the process are identified.

Management of a process

The steps taken in the management of a process can be categorised to include at least some of the following steps (i) FORECAST

In this step a target to be achieved by an iterating process is identified, (ii) PLAN In this step the resources needed by an iterating process to achieve a target are identified (in) SCHEDULE

In this step the execution of a process is scheduled. (IV) MONITOR In this step a process is monitored as to whether or not it is executing within predetermined criteria, (v) CONTROL

In this step resources are assigned to a process that is executing outside

predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria. (vi) SIGNIFY

In this step a signal which signifies the status of a process is generated and transmitted to another process (e.g. process successfully completed, partial failure of process, etc)

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of organising information, the method comprising the step of. categorising information items into a first group of categories, the first group including: one or more future-related categories which collectively include information items of envisaged occurrences and envisaged states of affairs, provided that said occurrences and states of affairs were envisaged to take place in the future relative to when they were envisaged and regardless of whether or not the envisaged occurrences or states of affairs have in fact occurred; and a present-historical category which includes information items of past occurrences, past and present states of affairs and existing knowledge, and excluding information items which fall within the future-related categories.

The terms "first group of categories" is used for the purpose of identifying this group of categories in this specification only and does not imply that any further categorisation is an essential feature of the invention.

As indicated above, the abovementioned present-historical category, on the one hand, and the future-related category or categories, on the other hand, are mutually exclusive, in that an information item falling within one of the future-related categories will not fall within the present-historical category and vice versa. Thus, the present-historical category may include information items relating to existing knowledge of any sort provided that the information items do not relate to knowledge of the sort which would fall within one

of the future-related categories. Thus, information item concerning an expectation which has occurred in the past that something would happen in the future relative to when the expectation occurred will fall within one of the future-related categories and not the present- historical category Further, an information item falling within one of the future-related categories will remain in such category notwithstanding the passage of time and will never fall within the present-historical category. Thus, an information item concerning an expectation that something will happen at a specified time in the future will remain in a future-related category even after the specified time has passed. This has the advantage that information items remain in the same category within the first group of categories even with the passage of time.

In addition to information items being organised into the first group of categories, the information items may also be organised into a plurality of activity- charactensation categories. Thus, the method may further include categorising information items into a plurality of activity-characterisation categories, each of which characterise an activity in respect of which the information items may be used.

At least one of the activity-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of: a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required; a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process; a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one

iteration of a process, a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria, and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process.

Each activity-characterisation category may be a member of a group consisting of a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required, a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process, a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one iteration of a process, a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria, and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process

The core activities of the accomplishment of a process are typically a sourcing activity, an executing activity and a delivering activity, as described in the introductory part of this specification. Thus the activity-characterisation categories may include: a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; and a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required.

The core activities of the management of a process are typically a monitoring activity and a controlling activity, as described in the introductory part of this specification. Thus the activity-characterisation categories may include: a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; and a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria

In many instances, for a comprehensive categorisation it may be preferable that categories for all of the activity-characterisation activities described in the introductory part of this specification are used. Thus, the activity-characterisation categories may include a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required; a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process; a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an

iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one iteration of a process; a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria; and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process.

In this way, an information item may be associated with both a category of the first group and with one or more activity-characterisation categories.

In addition to information items being organised into the first group of categories, and optionally also the activity-characterisation categories, the information items may also be organised into a plurality of subject-characterisation categories. At least one of the subject-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of : a category of information items relating to people; a category of information items relating to money; a category of information items relating to infrastructure; a category of information items relating to products; and a category of information items relating to a location where a process is executed.

Each of the subject-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of : a category of information items relating to people; a category of information items relating to money; a category of information items relating to infrastructure; a category of information items relating to products; and a category of information items relating to the location where a process is executed.

From an information processing point of view, an activity can be modelled as a process into which information items are inputted and from which information items in the form of instructions are outputted More particularly, information items which are inputted into an activity can be categorised either as information items which fall within the present- historical category, for example information items on existing resources, past performance or know-how, or as information items which fall within one of the future-related categories, for example an expectation or a target which it is envisaged that an activity should achieve. Instructions which are outputted from the activity will be information items falling within one of the future-related categories.

The future-related categories may be two in number, the first of which consists of information items which are an output from an activity and which comprise instructions to procure an envisaged occurrence or an envisaged state of affairs, and the second of which consists of information items for inputting to an activity and which comprises envisaged occurrences and envisaged states of affairs.

The activity may one which produces a decision. The decision may be made in the context of an activity which is one of the steps relating to the accomplishment and management of a process referred to in the introductory part of this specification

The method may include generating an information item in the second future- related category by using an information item in the first future-related category The generation of the information item of the second future-related category is achieved by making a copy of the information item in the first future-related category, the copy providing the information item of the second future-related category

Thus, there may thus be three categories for the first group, the categories being a present-historical category, as defined above, and two future-related categories, one of which consists of information items which are the output from an activity comprising instructions to procure an envisaged occurrence or an envisaged state of affairs (hereinafter referred to as the "Instrit" category), the other consisting of information items which are inputted to an activity and comprising envisaged occurrences and envisaged states of affairs

(hereinafter referred to as the "Expit" category). The present-historical category shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Refht" category.

Thus, if information items are categorised into the Expit, Reflit and lnstrit categories, as described above, in any activity, information items concerning existing resources, past performances and know-how (categorised in the Reflit category) can conveniently be compared with information items concerning expectations as to what the activity is to achieve (categorised in the Expit category), and decisions can be made on the basis thereof and instructions generated so as to enable appropriate action to be taken Information items in the form of instructions thus generated will be information items falling within the lnstrit category Information items falling within the Reflit category are hereafter referred to as "Reflits". Similarly, information items falling within the Expit category are hereafter referred to as "Expits" and information items falling within the lnstrit category sare hereafter referred to as "Instπts". Thus an activity will typically have information inputs in the form of at least one Expit and at least one Reflit and generate information output in the form of at least one lnstrit.

The information items may be further subcategorised according to whether they are stored or dynamic, and this sub-categoπsation may be used ro distinguish between information items which are modified frequently from those that are not modified frequently

Thus an Expit may be subcategorised as being a dynamic Expit may be an Expit which is modified frequently, typically by the operation of the process or of another interlinked process (eg an expectation for task performance), and a stored Expit may be an Expit which is not modified frequently (eg a strategic target) Similarly, a dynamic Reflit may be a Reflit which is modified frequently, typically by the operation of the process or of another interlinked process (eg a recent performance measure), and a stored Reflit may be a Reflit which is not modified frequently (eg a known performance rating). A stored lnstrit may likewise be distinguished from a dynamic lnstrit on the basis that a dynamic lnstrit may be an lnstrit which is modified frequently, typically by the operation of the process or of another interlinked process, and a stored lnstrit may be an lnstrit which is not modified frequently.

Instead or in addition, a stored lnstrit may be distinguished from a dynamic lnstrit on the basis that a dynamic lnstrit can be modified directly by a stored lnstrit generated by a previous decision, whereas a stored lnstrit cannot be modified directly by another lnstrit Thus, an lnstrit generated from a decision may be stored for later use in modifying a dynamic lnstrit that is output from another decision. An example of a stored lnstrit may for example be an instruction to follow a specified procedure at an appropriate future time in specified circumstances.

Instead or in addition, a dynamic information item may be distinguished from a stored information item on the basis that a dynamic information item can be modified automatically (ι e without human intervention) whereas a stored information can only be modified with human intervention.

An advantage in categorising information items in the manner described above is that it will allow relevant information items to be accessed when a decision is to be made or an action is to be taken, thus enabling decisions to be made on a properly informed basis and appropriate action to be taken.

It will be appreciated that an information item which is an instruction that a task be performed at a specified time in the future will remain in the lnstrit category even after the specified time has passed.

As indicated above, an lnstrit outputted from an activity may be used to generate an Expit for another activity, and, in fact, the lnstrit may simply be duplicated and a copy of the information item, thus duplicated, may be categorised in the Expit category and in the activity-characterisation category for the activity for which it is an Expit.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for organising information, the system including a first categorising means for categorising information items into a first group of categories, the first group including: one or more future-related categories which collectively include information items of envisaged occurrences and envisaged states of affairs, provided that said occurrences and

states of affairs were envisaged to take place in the future relative to when they were envisaged and regardless of whether or not the envisaged occurrences or states of affairs have in fact occurred; and a present-historical category which includes information items of past occurrences, past and present states of affairs and existing knowledge, and excluding information items which fall within the future-related categories.

The first categorising means may include a machine readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to categorise information items into the first group of categories.

The system may includes an activity-characterisation means for categorising information items into a plurality of activity-characterisation categories, each of which characterise an activity in respect of which the information items can be used.

The activity-characterisation means may include a machine readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to categorise information items in respect of a subject into the activity-characterisation categories.

At least one of the activity-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of: a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required; a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process; a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations;

a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one iteration of a process, a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria, and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process.

Each of the activity-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of: a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required; a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process, a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one iteration of a process; a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to

within the criteria; and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process.

Each of the activity-characterisation categories may include: a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; and a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required.

Each of the activity-characterisation categories may include: a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; and a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria.

The activity-characterisation categories may include: a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration of the process; a category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for a process to accomplish a required output; a category of information items for use in executing a process; a category of information items for use in delivering output from a process to where the output is required; a category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to a process; a category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by an iterating process, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for an iterating process to achieve a target, irrespective of the number of iterations; a category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of at least one

iteration of a process; a category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not a process is being executed within predetermined criteria; a category of information items for use in assigning resources to a process that is executing outside predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria; and a category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of a process to another process.

The information items may be further categorised into a plurality of subject- characterisation categories.

At least one of the subject-characterisation categories may be a member of a group consisting of : a category of information items relating to people; a category of information items relating to money; a category of information items relating to infrastructure; a category of information items relating to products; and a category of information items relating to a location where a process is executed.

Each of the subject-characterisation categories may be a member of the group consisting of : a category of information items relating to people; a category of information items relating to money; a category of information items relating to infrastructure; a category of information items relating to products; and a category of information items relating to the location where a process is executed.

The future-related categories may be two in number, one of which consists of information items which are an output from an activity comprising instructions to procure an envisaged occurrence or an envisaged state of affairs, the other consisting of information items for inputting to an activity and comprising envisaged occurrences and envisaged states of affairs.

The system may include a generating means for generating an information item in the second future-related category by using an information item in the first future- related category.

The generating means may generate the information item in the second future-related category by making a copy of the information item in the first future-related category, the copy providing the information item of the second future-related category.

The invention will now be described by way of illustrative, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

Figure 1 is a table which includes information items which are organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment of a process, Figure 2 is a table which includes information items which are organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the management of the process,

Figure 3 is a layout showing information items which are organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process,

Figure 4 is another layout showing the information items of Figure 3, which are organised in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a layout illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process,

Figure 6 is a layout illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process;

Figure 7 is a layout illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of three processes; and

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively tables illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention

Referring to Figure 1 , a table is shown which includes information items which are organised in accordance with the invention The information items are categorised into Expit, Reflit and Instπt categories and are also categorised into a plurality of activity- characterisation categories relating to the accomplishment of a process, the process being the making of a cup of tea. This table shall hereafter be referred to as the "Accomplishment table".

The activity-characterisation categories relating to the accomplishment of the process include : a "Design" category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for the process to accomplish a required output in a single iteration thereof, a "Source" category of information items for use in obtaining resources needed for the process to accomplish the required output; a "Make/Execute" category of information items for use in executing the process; a "Deliver" category of information items for use in delivering output from the process to where the output is required; and a "Learn/Return" category of information items for use in identifying possible modifications to the process.

Referring to Figure 2, a table is shown which includes information items which are organised in accordance with the invention As in Figure 1 , the information items in Figure 2 are likewise categorised into Expit, Reflit and lnstrit categories They are also categorised into a plurality of activity-characterisation categories relating to the management of a process, the process being the making of a cup of tea. This table shall hereafter be referred to as the "Management table"

The activity-characterisation categories relating to the management of the process include : a "Forecast" category of information items for use in identifying a target to be achieved by a plurality iterations of the process; a "Plan" category of information items for use in identifying resources needed for the process to achieve the target;

a "Schedule" category of information items for use in scheduling the execution of one or more iterations of the process; a "Monitor" category of information items for use in monitoring whether or not the process is being executed within predetermined criteria, a "Control" category of information items for use in assigning resources to the process if it executes outside the predetermined criteria so as to bring the execution of the process back to within the criteria; and a "Signify" category of information items for use in generating and transmitting a signal signifying the status of the process to another process.

Each information item is in respect of one of four subjects. More particularly, the information items in Figures 1 and 2 are further categorised into four subject- characterisation categories, namely: a "People" category of information items relating to people; a "Money" category of information items relating to money; an "Infrastructure" category of information items relating to infrastructure; and a "Product" category of information items relating to products.

Referring to Figure 1 , the Accomplishment table includes a column for each activity-characterisation category related to the accomplishment of the process The activity-characterisation columns include sub-columns marked A1 - A14 with the headings

"Expit, "Reflit", "decision", "Instrit/Expit" or "Instrit". The Accomplishment table includes a row for each subject-characterisation category.

Referring to column A4 of the Accomplishment table, it should be noted that, since the lnstrits of the Design activity are duplicated to provide Expits for the Source activity, the Expits of the Source activity and the lnstrits of the Design activity are simply shown in the single column headed "A4 Instrit/Expit". Similarly, since the lnstrits of the Source activity are duplicated to provide Expits of the Make/Execute activity, the Expits of the Make/Execute activity and the lnstrits of the Source activity are simply shown in the single column headed "A7 Instrit/Expit". Likewise, since the lnstrits of the Make/Execute activity are duplicated to provide Expits of the Deliver activity, the Expits of the Deliver activity and the lnstrits of the Make/Execute activity are simply shown in the single column

headed "A10 Instπt/Expit' .

Column A3 of the Accomplishment table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Expit (column A1 ) and the Refht (column A2) in respect of the Design activity for that subject-characterisation category Based on the decision (column A3), for each subject- charactensation category an lnstrit (column A4) is issued which generates an Expit (also column A4) for the Source activity.

Column A6 of the Accomplishment table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Expit (column A4) and the Refht (column A5) in respect of the Source activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column A6), for each subject- charactensation category an lnstrit (column A7) is issued which generates an Expit (also column A7) for the Make/Execute activity.

Column A9 of the Accomplishment table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category (save for the Money category) taking into consideration the Expit (column A7) and the Refht (column A8) in respect of the Make/Execute activity for that subject-characterisation category Based on the decision (column A9), for each subject-characterisation category (save for the Money category) an lnstrit (column A10) is issued which generates an Expit (also column A10) for the Deliver activity No decision or instruction has been made for the Money category as the issue of money is not relevant at this stage of the process.

Column A12 of the Accomplishment table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category (save for the Money category) taking into consideration the Expit (column A10) and the Refht (column A1 1 ) in respect of the Deliver activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column A12), for each subject-characterisation category (save for the Money category) an lnstrit (column A13) is issued which generates an input for the Signify activity (Figure 2), which is described in more detail below with reference to the management of the process Feedback from the Deliver activity to the Source activity can drive further

iterations of the accomplishment of the process i.e. an lnstrit generated by the Deliver activity can generate an Expit for the Source activity to drive further iterations, as shown in Figure 4 which is dealt with below

Column A15 of the Accomplishment table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Reflit (column A14) in respect of the Deliver activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column A15), for each subject-characterisation category an lnstrit (column A16) is issued which modifies or adds to the Expits of the Design, Source, Make/Execute and/or Deliver activities and/or of activities for other processes (not shown).

It will be noted that the column of the Accomplishment table headed "Input" makes reference to the Schedule activity of the management of the process and the column headed Output" makes reference to the Monitor activity of the management of the process.

The interrelationship between the accomplishment activities and the management activities are described below with reference to the management activities.

Referring to Figure 2, the Management table includes a column for each activity-characterisation category related to the management of the process. The activity- characterisation columns including sub-columns marked M1 - M19 with the headings "Expit, "Reflit", "decision", "Instπt/Expit" or "lnstrit". The Management table includes a row for each subject-characterisation category.

Referring to column M4 of the Management table, it should be noted that since the lnstrits of the Forecast activity are duplicated to provide Expits for the Plan activity, the Expits of the Plan activity and the lnstrits of the Forecast activity are simply shown in the single column headed "M4 Instrit/Expit". Similarly, since the lnstrits of the Plan activity are duplicated to provide Expits for the Schedule activity, the Expits of the Schedule activity and the lnstrits of the Plan activity are simply shown in the single column headed "M7 Instrit/Expit". Further, since the lnstrits of the Schedule activity are duplicated to provide Expits for the Monitor activity, the Expits of the Monitor activity and the lnstrits of the Schedule activity are simply shown in the single column headed "M10. Instrit/Expit"

Likewise, since the lnstrits of the Monitor activity are duplicated to provide Expits for the Control activity, the Expits of the Control activity and the lnstrits of the Monitor activity are simply shown in the single column headed "M 13 Instrit/Expit"

Column M3 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Expit (column M1 ) and the Refht (column M2) in respect of the Forecast activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column M3), for each subject- charactensation category an lnstrit (column M4) is issued which generates an Expit (also column M4) for the Plan activity.

Column M6 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Expit (column M4) and the Refht (column M5) in respect of the Plan activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column M6), for each subject- charactensation category an lnstrit (column M7) is issued which generates an Expit (also column M7) for the Schedule activity and for the Monitor activity.

Column M9 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the

Expit (column M7) and the Refht (column M8) in respect of the Schedule activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column M9), for each subject- charactensation category an lnstrit (column M10) is issued which generates an Expit (also column M10) for the Monitor activity. As indicated generally by the column headed "Input" of the Accomplishment table and the column headed "transfer to process Expit" of the

Management table, the lnstrits of the Schedule activity also generates Expits for various activities of the accomplishment of the process

Column M12 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category in the Monitor activity. As indicated generally by the column headed Output" of the Accomplishment table and the column headed "Input from process" of the Management table, any offending discrepancies between Expits and Refhts of the various activities of the accomplishment of

the process can also generate information inputs for the Monitor activity. The decisions in the Monitor activity (Column 12) are made taking into consideration these inputs from the accomplishment activities as well as the Expits generated by the Plan activity (column M7) and the Expits generated by the Schedule activity (column M10) and the Reflit of the Monitor activity (column M1 1 ). Based on the decision (column M12) for each subject- characterisation category, an lnstrit (column M13) is issued which generates an Expit (also column M 13) for the Control activity.

Column M15 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration the Expit (M13) and the Reflit (column M14) in respect of the Control activity for that subject- characterisation category Based on the decision (column M15), for each subject- characterisation category an lnstrit (column M16) is issued which can generate Expits (not shown) for various activities of the accomplishment of the process. The Monitor and Control activity may be looped until any offending discrepancies between Expits and Reflits of the various activities of the accomplishment of the process are eliminated

Column M18 of the Management table contains decisions which have been made in relation to each subject-characterisation category taking into consideration Expits (not shown) generated by the Delivery activity of the accomplishment of the process and the Reflit (column M17) in respect of the Signify activity for that subject-characterisation category. Based on the decision (column M18), for each subject-characterisation category an lnstrit (column M19) is issued which generates an Expit (not shown) for other processes (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the abovementioned categories can also be used for a wide variety of other processes, and can facilitate the establishment of an algorithm which ensures that relevant information items are accessed when a decision is to be made or an action is to be taken, thus enabling decisions to be made on a properly informed basis and appropriate action to be taken.

In a generalised form, an algorithm for the accomplishment of a process from the Design to Delivery could thus be as follows:

A 1. Design-Expit. Establish what has to be delivered This effectively becomes the

Expit for the 'Design' step which is split into issues relevant to People,

Money, Infrastructure and Product

A2. Design-Reflit. Establish the necessary Reflit that will indicate what needs to be available for successful execution and match it to each Expit.

A3. Design-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the

Design Expits and Refhts. A4. Design-lnstnt. Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive requirements acquisition; these become the Expits for the Source step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps

A5. Source-Reflit. Establish the Reflits that indicate availability of suitable resources for gathering pre-execution. A6. Source-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the resource availability Reflits AJ. Source-lnstrit. Establish the resulting appropriate sourcing lnstrits, these become the Expits for the Make/Execute step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps A8. Make/Execute-Reflit. Establish the Reflits that indicate the on-hand availability of the resources required for successful execution. A9. Make/ 'Execute-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the requirement availability Reflits. A W Make/Execute-lnstnt Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive execution; these become the Expits for the Deliver step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps A 1 1 Deliver-Reflit Establish the Reflits that indicate the availability of the destination required for successful delivery. A 12. Deliver-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the execution Reflits.

A 13. Deliver-lnstnt Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive delivery; these may also become the Expits for the Learn/Return step and/or may be carried forward in later iterations of the same process

If a Learn / Return step in the accomplishment of a process is desired, the further steps of the algorithm may be as follows:

A 14 Learn/Return-Reflit. Establish the Reflits that indicate the availability of influencing information for successful learning.

A 15 Leam/Return-dθαsion Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on any of the preceding Design, Source, Make/Execute, Deliver Reflits. A 16. Learn/Retum-lnstnt. Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive learning; these may also influence the Expits for any of the steps in subsequent iterations of the process.

In a generalised form, an algorithm for the management of a process from Forecasting to Scheduling may be as follows:

M1. Forecast- Expit Establish what has to be managed and quantify all elements, including minimum, average and maximum levels as appropriate, that will be engaged in the associated accomplishment process. This effectively becomes the Expit for the 'Forecast' step which is split into issues relevant to

People, Money, Infrastructure and Product. M2 Forecast- Refht. Establish the necessary Reflits that will indicate the management issues that require a management focus and match them to the Expits. M3. Forecast-decision. Formulate the management decisions that need to be made based on the Forecast Expits and Reflits. M4 Forecast- 1 nstrit Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive Forecast achievement; these become the Expits for the Plan step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps. M5 Plan-Reflit Establish the Reflits that indicate experience of past resource requirements for a similar execution of the associated accomplishment process.

M6 Plan-decision Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the resource requirement Reflits.

M7. Plan-lnstht. Establish the resulting appropriate resourcing Instrits, these become the Expits for the Schedule step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps

M8. Schθdule-Heflit Establish the Reflits that indicate the suitability of execution times required for successful execution.

M9. Schedule-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the known execution time requirements Reflits. MW.Schedule-lnstrit. Establish the resulting appropriate Instrits to drive the schedule; these become the Expits for the Monitor step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps.

At this point, the associated accomplishment process is started for the appropriate duration.

M11. Monitor-Reflit Establish the necessary Reflits that will indicate the degree of success of the accomplishment of the various steps of the associated accomplishment process and match them to the required Expits M12. Monitor-decision. Formulate the management decisions that need to be made based on the Monitor Expits and Reflits. M13. Monitor-lnstnt. Establish the resulting appropriate Instrits to drive Monitor achievement; these become the Expits for the Control step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps.

M14. Control-Reflit. Establish the Reflits that indicate experience of past resource requirements for a similar execution of the control of the associated accomplishment process.

M15. Control-decision Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the resource requirement Reflits.

M 16. Control-lnstnt Establish the resulting appropriate control Instrits, these become the Expits for the Signify step and/or may be carried forward to subsequent steps.

The Monitor and control steps may be looped until the associated accomplishment process is restored to being 'on-schedule'.

M17. Signify- Refht. Establish the Reflits that indicate the completion of the associated accomplishment process

M18. Signify-decision. Formulate the decisions that need to be made based on the known degree of completion-success-indicating Reflits.

M19. Signify-lnstrit. Establish the resulting appropriate lnstrits to drive the following associated accomplishment processes; these may become the Expits for the next iteration of other iterations of the management steps.

Figures 3 to 7 show how the invention can be used as an analytical tool for assessing the adequacy of information and whether such information has been organised in an efficient manner.

Referring to Figure 3 in particular, a layout showing information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process is designated generally by reference numeral 100. The information items are categorised into Expit, Reflit and lnstrit categories and into a plurality of activity-characterisation categories relating to the management and accomplishment of the process. The activity-characterisation categories are the same as for Figures 1 and 2. For ease of illustration, all the information items shown in Figure 3 relate to one subject-characterisation category In use, it as desirable that tables which are the same as or similar to tables 1 10 and 120 are established for each goal or operational objection in an organisation.

In this example the Expit information items and the Reflit information items are called "Key Performance Indicators" (KPI's) and have been further subcategorised according to whether they are stored KPI's or dynamic KPI's. Thus the KPI's which have been categorised into the Expit category are subcategorised as being dynamic Expit KPI's

(dEKPI's) or stored Expit KPI's (sEKPI's). In this example, a dEKPI is an Expit which is modified frequently, typically by the operation of the process or of another interlinked process (eg an expectation for task performance), and an sEKPI is an Expit which is not modified frequently (eg a strategic target). The KPI's which have been categorised into the

Reflit category are also subcategorised as being dynamic Reflit KPI's (dRKPI's) and stored

Reflit KPI's (sRKPI's). In this example, a dRKPI is a Reflit which is modified frequently,

typically by the operation of the process or of another interlinked process (eg a recent performance measure), and an sRKPI is a Reflit (eg a known performance rating) which is not modified frequently. Similarly, in this example, lnstrits are also subcategorised as being dynamic lnstrit KPI's (dlKPI's) or stored lnstrit KPI's (slKPI's). In this example, a dlKPI is an lnstrit which is modified frequently and can be modified directly by an slKPI generated by a previous decision, whereas an slKPI is an lnstrit which is not modified frequently and cannot be modified directly by an lnstrit (i.e. it can only be generated or modified by a decision). A slKPI (may for example be an instruction to follow a specified procedure at future time when specified circumstances occur. An example of a typical dlKPI is an order to do something immediately.

The layout 100 includes a table 1 10 and a table 120. The table 120 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of a process and has a column for each activity-characterisation category related to the accomplishment of the process. The table 1 10 includes information items relating to the management of the process and has a column for each activity-characterisation category related to the management of the process. Moving down the tables 1 10 and 120 in the direction of the arrows "A", it will be noted that each table 1 10, 120 has a row for dEKPI's, sEKPI's, sRKPI's, dRKPI's, Decisions, slKPI's, and dlKPI's respectively, the row for dlKPI's being the lowermost row in each table 1 10, 120. This structure mirrors the procedure whereby the lnstrits for each activity-characterisation category are generated i.e. each decision in an activity-characterisation category is made after having taken into consideration any dEKPI, sEKPI, sRKPI and dRKPI for that activity- characterisation category, and an lnstrit is issued based on that decision

Referring to Figure 4, another layout 200 shows the information items of

Figure 3, which are organised in accordance with the invention In Figure 4 the same numerals designate the same features as in Figure 3, unless otherwise specified. Thus, as mentioned above with reference to Figure 3, for ease of illustration, all the information items shown in Figure 4 relate to one subject-characterisation category and the Expits, Reflits and lnstrits have been subcategorised into dynamic and stored subcategories and are in the forms of KPI's. The layout 200 includes the tables 1 10 and 120 and further includes arrows shown with dotted lines which indicate that how the lnstrits of various activities generate Expits for various other activities, the relations between the various

informational items being the same as are described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, save that Figure 4 also shows a direct modification of a dlKPI by a slKPI of a previous decision. More particularly, the slKPI generated by the Deliver activity in an iteration of the accomplishment of the process directly modifies the dlKPI of the Source activity in a following iteration of the accomplishment of a process. Further, the interrelation between the objective mapped by tables 1 10 and 120 with other objectives is indicated by the incoming arrow to the dEKPI of the Forecast activity and the outgoing arrow from the dlKPI of the Signify activity.

Referring to Figure 5, layout 300 shows a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process. The layout 300 includes a table 310 and a table 320. The table 320 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of the process and the table 310 includes information items relating to the management of the process. The tables 310, 320 have columns for each activity-characterisation category, the activity-characterisation categories being the same as in Figures 1 to 4. All the information items shown in Figure 5 are in respect of a subject, for example people, money, infrastructure, products or location. As in Figures 3 and 4, the information items are categorised into Expit, Reflit and Instπt categories, the Expit and Reflit information items being called "Key Performance Indicators" (KPI's) and being further subcategorised according to whether they are stored KPI's or dynamic KPI's. Thus, the KPI's which have been categorised into the Expit category are subcategorised as being sEKPI's or dEKPI's and those that have been categorised into the Reflit category are subcategorised as being dRKPI's or sRKPI's.

The utility of the invention as an analytical tool to reveal possible informational weaknesses is shown in this example in that the organisation of information items in tables 310 and 320 reveals that there are no information items for the "Schedule", Design", "Source" and "Deliver" activity-characterisation categories. Thus the organisation of the information items in tables 310 and 320 reveals a possible informational deficiency which may need to be remedied. Other types of informational weaknesses which the invention can reveal are described below.

Referring to Figure 6, layout 400 shows a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of a process. The layout 400 includes a table 410 and a table 420 The table 420 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of the process and the table 410 includes information items relating to the management of the process. The tables 410, 420 have columns for each activity-characterisation category, the activity-characterisation categories being the same as in Figures 1 to 5. The information items shown in Figure 6 relate to one subject-characterisation category. As in Figures 3 to 5, the information items are categorised into Expit, Refht and lnstrit categories, the Expit and Reflit information items being called "Key Performance Indicators" (KPI's) and being further subcategorised according to whether they are stored KPI's or dynamic KPI's Thus, the KPI's which have been categorised into the Expit category are subcategorised as being sEKPI's or dEKPI's and those that have been categorised into the Reflit category are subcategorised as being dRKPI's or sRKPI's.

The gaps in the tables 410 and 420 reveal that the Plan activity does not have any sEKPI's, the Monitor activity does not have either sRKPI's or dRKPI's, the Control activity does not have any sRKPI's, the Source activity does not have any sEKPI's, the Make/Execute activity does not have any sEKPI's and the Learn/Return activity does not have any sEKPI's Thus the organisation of the information items in tables 410 and 420 reveals another kind of possible informational deficiency which may need to be remedied.

Referring to Figure 7, layout 500 shows a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention, the information items relating to the accomplishment and management of three processes which are respectively referred to as "Process 1 ", "Process 2" and "Process 3". It will be appreciated that other characterising words can be used instead such as "Objective 1 ", "Objective 2" and

"Objective 3", the use of the word "objective" bringing into focus what is sought to be achieved. The layout 500 includes tables 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 and 560. The table 520 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of Process 1 and the table 510 includes information items relating to the management of Process 1. The table 540 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of Process 2 and the table 530 includes

information items relating to the management of Process 2 The table 560 includes information items relating to the accomplishment of Process 3 and the table 550 includes information items relating to the management of Process 3.

The tables 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560 have columns for each activity- characterisation category, the activity-characterisation categories being the same as in Figures 1 to 6. All the information items shown in Figure 7 relate to one subject- characterisation category. As in Figures 3 to 6, the information items are categorised into Expit, Reflit and lnstrit categories, the Expit and Reflit information items being called "Key Performance Indicators" (KPI's) and being further subcategorised according to whether they are stored KPI's or dynamic KPI's Thus, the KPI's which have been categorised into the Expit category are subcategorised as being sEKPI's or dEKPI's and those that have been categorised into the Reflit category are subcategorised as being dRKPI's or sRKPI's.

The dotted lines in Figure 7 which join various information items indicate cross-referencing of information items between different processes. In particular, the dotted lines show that there is cross-referencing between the Control dEKPI of Process 1 and the Learn/Return dEKPI of Process 3, between the Make/Execute sEKPI of Process 1 and the Monitor dEKPI of Process 2 and between the Make/Execute sRKPI of Process 2 and the Plan dEKPI of Process 3 These informational links may be analysed for possible inefficiency or inappropriateness and thus for possible remedial action.

It will be appreciated that the type of information which it is useful to have in regard to a process will vary according to the type of process. The organisation of information as illustrated and described above can nonetheless be a useful analytical tool to assist in assessing the adequacy of information and whether such information has been organised efficiently. In addition to revealing the types of informational weaknesses referred to above, the organisation of information as described and illustrated above may also reveal other types of informational weaknesses. For example, an activity- characterisation category may be incorporated into an inappropriate process, a management table may contain inappropriate accomplishment information items, an accomplishment table may contain inappropriate management information items or information items may be too vague to be identified as either relating to the management

of a process or to the accomplishment thereof.

Once the informational weaknesses have been identified by organising existing information items in accordance with the invention, as shown above, appropriate remedial action can be taken. Redundant and/or poorly defined information and inappropriate or inefficient communication paths can thus be redesigned and it may even be possible to rationalise the number of processes or objectives around which the information items are organised. Thus, for example by redefining the processes around which the information items are organised it may be possible for the information items of Processes 1 , 2 and 3 in Figure 7 to be reorganised into two new processes, say "Process A" and "Process B", which may nonetheless incorporate all the functionality of the old processes This can, in turn, reduce unnecessary complexity in the organisation of information and can lead to greater productivity.

Once information items have been organised into one or more future-related categories and a present-historical category, the information items can be analysed in other ways, examples of which are provided in Figures 8 and 9. In Figure 8 a table illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 600. In Figure 9 a further table illustrating a use of information items which have been organised in accordance with the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 700. More particularly, tables 600, 700 illustrate how Expit information items may be used after information items have been organised into Expit, lnstrit and Reflit categories

The information items in tables 600, 700 are all Expits The information items have also been categorised into "People", "Money", "Infrastructure" and "Product" subject- characterisation categories. Each table 600, 700 has a column for each of the subject- characterisation categories. The information items have also been categorised into "Push", "Pull", "Support" and "Improve" categories, each table 600, 700 having a row for each of them.

The utility of the invention as an analytical tool to reveal possible weaknesses in a strategy is illustrated in table 700, when compared with table 600, in that the

organisation of information items in table 700 reveals that there are no "Push" or "Pull" information items for the "People" and "Money" categories, there are no "Pull" or "Support" information items for the "Infrastructure" category and there are no "Push" information items in the 'Product" category. Thus the organisation of the information items in table 700 reveals that, by focusing only on the Expit information items in any strategy and by arranging them by using an analytical tool which highlights strategic priorities (in this instance the table 700), it is possible to identify possible weaknesses in a strategy. Such weaknesses, once identified, can then be corrected. In fact, "Pull" and "Push" Expit information items in the "Infrastructure" and "Product" categories are typically of particular importance to commercial success and a lack of any of these information items can indicate that substantial benefits may be derived by correcting such weaknesses In a similar manner, benefits can be achieved by focusing only on Reflits or only on lnstrits and arranging them for analysis by using an appropriate analytical tool.