A confluence of groundbreaking theory and advanced technology has been meshed together to produce a revolutionary product named the Web-Based Dependency Source Matrix (WeB-DSM™). Currently in development at Decision Sciences Incorporated, the WeB-DSM™ integrates a combination of elements ranging from Artificial Intelligence systems, modern project management theory, and web-based software engineering to form a complete systems analysis and program management application.

A complex, interconnecting network of functional departments and design shops, both in-house and external, characterizes the development phase of most large programs. The job of managing this process in the new information age extends beyond the limits of most modern program management applications. The time required for the serial processing of schedule data and the information flow from suppliers to customers prohibits any meaningful evaluation and subsequent action to be taken by the program manager. Additionally, the interplay of coupled events (rework) is typically ignored and the consequences of sub-optimal sequencing of activities within the schedule are rarely measured.

The WeB-DSM™ is fueled by an efficient near real-time, web-based information flow – eliminating waste in the process. The system incorporates automatic algorithms and constructs for optimizing the sequencing of events within a schedule through partitioning. The combination of these elements within the DSM structure is holistic in its results, providing dynamic solutions, accelerating the control, and extending the bounds of the program manager.

WeB-DSM™ Features

• Multiple Project Status Displays (Activity, Data, Schedule, In-Progress)
• Schedule Partitioning
• Events Log
• Automated Email Alerts
• Links to Microsoft Project (Importing/Exporting)
• Links to Microsoft Outlook Business Contacts (Importing)

WeB-DSM™ Benefits

• Presents near-real time, web-based status of all events
• Incorporates rework estimates (coupled events)
• Eliminates waste in the scheduling process
• Web-based interface makes the application accessible to all stakeholders
• Optimizes the sequencing of events within a schedule
• Presents a complete program event history - Who and Why
• Increases communication through emailing downstream events when changes occur
• Employs already available Microsoft Project Files as a baseline
• Utilizes already available Microsoft Outlook contact files for any given project