Systems and methods for early identification of anomalies in large projects

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows managers to identify anomalies in organizations, brands or projects at an early stage. Advantage is taken of the fact that a large percentage of the elements of all organizational (project) problems are promptly captured in some form on an electronic notation. Portions of these notations are abstracted into categories. Each categorized abstract is displayed in an appropriate partition for review by one or more managers. As a category becomes populated with more and more abstracts, the visual color of the representations of the abstracts of that category can change to reflect their individual ages or other attributes of that category's abstracts. For example, the color of each abstract-representing graphical 'dot' can fade over time. A group of new 'dots' within a category, or blinking dots representing content that is particularly well matched to the category definition can graphically signify extra concern. In one embodiment, the manager can then “click” on one or more particular “dots” within a category in order to read the particular abstracted notation or the original data item itself. If desired, chains of abstracted notations can be followed in an attempt to discern the particulars of a possible developing problem. In one embodiment, a manager can select which categories are to be displayed in different “territories” on the manager's display.