Method of analyzing information flow within an organization

Abstract

A method of analyzing information flow within an organization includes defining a three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization including interconnections between organizational elements of the organization. Data flow is processed based on a set of known rules relating to information flow via the interconnections and based upon a flow structure through the organization, so as to simulate moving in time through organizational data upon the set of known rules, from a first endpoint data in order to generate a second endpoint data. In particular, the second endpoint data is one of forward and backward in time relative to the first endpoint data. The second endpoint data is verified against a predetermined outcome and an indication of the result of verifying is provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the following drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate similar items:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of a three-dimensional data visualization structure in accordance with an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 shows the three-dimensional data visualization structure of FIG. 1 after rotation;

FIG. 3 a is a simplified schematic of an embodiment of the invention wherein the organization chart of an organization is displayed with overlays for management reporting as well as project reporting;

FIG. 3 b shows a slice diagram relating to the organization;

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic of an embodiment of the invention wherein the Information Technology resources of an organization chart are mapped;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram for a method of analyzing information flow within an organization according to an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram for a method of analyzing information flow within an organization according to another embodiment of the instant invention; and,

FIG. 7 is a simplified flow diagram for a method of analyzing information flow within an organization according to another embodiment of the instant invention.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing information flow within an organization, comprising: defining interconnections between data nodes belonging to an organizational chart of the organization and network nodes belonging to a computer and information technology network chart of the organization, the defined interconnections for correlating the organizational chart and the computer and information technology network chart in three-dimensions so as to provide a three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization; establishing rules relating to information flow via the interconnections, the rules based upon a flow structure through the organization;processing data flow through the organization to move in time from a first data point to a second data point in accordance with the established rules; and,providing an indication of the result of the processing step.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a rule of the established rules relates to one of a data node and a network node of the organization.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein a rule of the established rules relates to an interconnection within the three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein a data node is representative of one of an individual and a department within the organization

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein a data node is representative of a hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure comprising a sub-organization comprising sub-data nodes.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein processing data flow through the organization to move in time is performed in time steps, wherein during a single time step rules are applied to data at a start of said time step and wherein during a subsequent time step rules are applied to data at an end of said time step.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein in aggregate rules are applied to more than one data node in combination during a same time step.

8. A method according to claim 7 for use in processing of audited information of a data flow through an organization.

9. A method according to claim 7 for use in simulating a data flow through an organization.

10. A method of analyzing information flow within an organization, comprising: defining a three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization including interconnections between organizational elements of the organization;processing data flow based on a set of known rules relating to information flow via the interconnections and based upon a flow structure through the organization, so as to simulate moving in time through organizational data upon the set of known rules, from a first endpoint data in order to generate a second endpoint data, the second endpoint data one of forward and backward in time relative to the first endpoint data;verifying the second endpoint data against a predetermined outcome; and,providing an indication of the result of verifying.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein a rule of the set of known rules relates to an organizational element of the organization.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein a rule of the set of known rules relates to an interconnection within the three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization.

13. A method according to claim 10 wherein an organizational element comprises one of an individual and a department within the organization.

14. A method according to claim 10 wherein an organizational element comprises a hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure comprising a sub-organization comprising sub-organizational elements.

15. A method according to claim 10 wherein processing data flow through the organization to move in time is performed in time steps, wherein during a single time step rules are applied to data at a start of said time step and wherein during a subsequent time step rules are applied to data at an end of said time step (ditto).

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein in aggregate rules are applied to more than one organizational element in combination during a same time step.

17. A method according to claim 16 for use in processing of audited information of a data flow through an organization.

18. A method according to claim 16 for use in simulating a data flow through an organization.

19. A method of analyzing information flow within an organization, comprising: defining interconnections between data nodes belonging to a first organizational chart of the organization and data nodes belonging to a second organizational chart of the organization, the defined interconnections for correlating the first organizational chart and the second organizational chart in three-dimensions so as to provide a three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization;correlating a three-dimensional visualization of a computer and information technology network of the organization with the three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization, comprising defining other interconnections relating to node access to the computer and information technology network of the organization;establishing rules relating to the interconnections and to the other interconnections, the rules based upon a deterministic reporting process;verifying a set of reporting process values against the three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization following the rules established for the interconnections and for the other interconnections; and,providing an indication of the result of verifying.

20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of analyzing information flow within an organization, the method comprising: defining a three-dimensional data visualization structure of the organization including interconnections between organizational elements of the organization;processing data flow based on a set of known rules relating to information flow via the interconnections and based upon a flow structure through the organization, so as to simulate moving in time through organizational data upon the set of known rules, from a first endpoint data in order to generate a second endpoint data, the second endpoint data one of forward and backward in time relative to the first endpoint data;verifying the second endpoint data against a predetermined outcome; and,