Systems and methods for generating configuration metrics in a storage network

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for facilitating decision making through an improved recommendation system. The data used in the system, such as the questions and business logic for navigating between questions, is stored in relational database tables that are easy to access and edit by users. A backend application program reads the data and processes the navigation logic depending upon answers received from users to automatically generate a decision tree. Users are allowed to select questions earlier in the tree, and the application can regenerate a tree from the point of the selected question and on. The application program stores the questions to be presented in a structured document which is handed off to a user interface generation program.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a decision making system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a representation of database tables employed in the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process for generating and navigating a decision tree in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for navigating in a decision tree when a user selects a question that has already been answered, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for generating a revised decision tree in response to a user selecting a question previously traversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for evaluating expressions based on answers received, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for making recommendation based on answers received, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A computerized method for facilitating decision making, the method comprising: presenting to a user a user interface representing a series of questions being presented to the user in a decision making session;receiving from the user answers to a plurality of the questions in a decision tree;allowing the user to select, through the user interface, a first question for which an answer has already been received;determining whether one or more second questions are to be presented before the selected first question is presented and whether one or more third questions are to be presented after the selected first question is presented; andpresenting to the user, and receiving answers from the user to, the first, second and third questions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the user interface comprises presenting a decision tree representing the series of questions in graphical form.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein presenting the decision tree comprises presenting at least one branching point through which a next question to be presented in the series is dependent upon an answer received to one or more prior questions in the series.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising storing one or more question tables containing a plurality of questions and navigation logic data for navigating between questions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein storing one or more question tables comprises storing, in the navigation logic data, call question data identifying one or more questions to be presented before a given question and jump question data identifying one or more jump questions to be presented after the given question.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether to present second or third questions comprises retrieving navigation logic data associated with the selected first question.

7. A computerized method for facilitating decision making, the method comprising: presenting, in a user interface, a decision tree representing series of information requests to be presented to a user as part of a decision making session;presenting the information requests to the user in a sequence provided by the decision tree;receiving information from the user in response to at least some of the presented information requests;allowing the user to select a first information request in the decision tree that has already been presented in the decision making session;receiving from the user first information in response to the selected first information request;determining whether the first information received from the user results in a change to the decision tree; andmodifying the decision tree based on the first information.

8. A system for facilitating decision making, the system comprising: a user interface component configured to present to a user a series of questions within a decision making session, wherein at least some of the questions are configured as a decision tree:a user input component configured to recieve from the user answers to at least some of the questions, wherein the user selects, through the user input component, a first question for which an answer has already been recieve;a processing component communicatively coupled among the user interface component and the user input component, wherein the processing component is configured to determine whether one or more second questions are to be presented before the selected first question is presented, and whether one or more third questions are to be presented after the selected first question is presented; andwherein the user interface and user input components are further configured to present to the user, and recieve answers from the user to, the first, second, and third questions.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the decision tree represents the series of questions in graphical form, and wherein the decision tree presents at least one branching point through which a next question to be presented in the series is dependent upon an answer received to one or more prior questions in graphical form.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the user interface component presents a decision tree representing the series of questions in graphical form.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a storage component configured to store one or more question tables and navigation logic data, wherein the navigation logic includes call question data identifying one or more questions to be presented before a current question, and jump question data identifying one or more jump question to be presented after the current question.

12 The system of claim 8, further comprising a storage component configured to store one or more question tables and navigation logic data, wherein the navigation logic includes call question data identifying one or more question to be presented before a current question, and jump question data identifying one or more jump question to be presented after the current question.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a storage component configured to store one or more question tables containing multiple questions and navigation logic data for navigating between questions.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processing component determines whether to present second or third questions based in part on navigation logic data associated with the selected first question.

15. A system for facilitating decision making, the system comprising: means for presenting, in a user interface, a decision tree representing series of information requests to be presented to a user as part of a decision making session, wherein the information requests are presented to the user in a sequence provided by the decision tree;means for receiving information from the user in response to at least some of the presented information requests;means for allowing the user to select a first information request in the decision tree that has already been presented in the decision making session;means for receiving from the user first information in response to the selected first information request;means for determining whether the first information received from the user results in a change to the decision tree; andmeans for modifying the decision tree based on the first information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for presenting comprises presenting a decision tree representing the series of questions in graphical form, and wherein at least one branching point of the decision tree through which a next question to be presented in the series is dependent upon an answer received to one or more prior question in the series.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for storing one or more question tables and navigation logic data, wherein the navigation logic data includes call question data identifying one or more questions to be presented before a current question and jump question data identifying one or more jump questions to be presented after the current question.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for whether to present second or third question based on stored navigation logic data associated with the selected first question.