Monitoring the progress of a task set within a hierarchy

A system comprising:

• a memory device configured to store a progress tracking module;
• a processing device in communication with the memory device, the processing device configured to execute the progress tracking module stored in the memory device;
• the progress tracking module comprising:
• an employee database configured to store hierarchy information of an enterprise, the hierarchy information including the relationship among a plurality of supervisors and subordinates, wherein the hierarchy information comprises a tree structure, each element of the tree structure is an identity of an employee of the enterprise, and the employee database is part of a human resources system of the enterprise;
• a task flow progression module configured to cause the processing device to determine if any supervisors or subordinates assigned to perform a certain task within a certain timeframe are delaying, based on the tree structure, wherein completion of the task by each of one or more of the supervisors or subordinates in a next level with respect to a respective employee and within a direct chain of command as the respective employee allows the employee to perform the task;
• wherein the task flow progression module is further configured to cause the processing device to create a report identifying which ones of the supervisors, if any, are causing a delay in a progression towards the completion of the tasks for other employees in the chain of command of the supervisor or subordinate who rely on completion of the supervisors, if any, who are causing the delay.

A computer implemented method comprising:

• storing hierarchy information of an enterprise, the hierarchy information including a chain of command relationship among a plurality of employees of the enterprise, wherein the hierarchy information comprises a tree structure, and each element of the tree structure is an identity of an employee of the enterprise;
• assigning related tasks to each supervisor within the hierarchy, wherein performing the task by a respective employee depends at least on completion of the task by a direct supervisor or direct subordinate of the respective employee;
• determining based on the tree structure if any employees are causing a delay in a progress towards the completion of the related tasks;
• and
• generating a report identifying which employees, if any, are causing a delay;
• wherein hierarchy information is stored in a human resources system of the enterprise.