System and method for direct manipulation of a triangular distribution of information using a graphical user interface

A method, comprising:

• respectively receiving user inputted values based on a current position of a pointer on a grid, the pointer corresponding to a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having at least a display device with the grid and the pointer depicted thereon, the grid having a time axis and a value axis, the value axis representing a plurality of candidate values from which a user selects at least some of the user inputted values based on the current position of the pointer on the grid, the pointer being positionable by the user via the graphical user interface;
• generating estimates based on the user inputted values;
• creating three curves for display on the grid based on at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, wherein the three curves comprise a first, a second, and a third curve representing a triangular distribution and respectively corresponding to expected values for a given item under evaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expected values, and lower bounds with respect to the expected values;
• and
• applying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid and enters triplets corresponding to an expected value, an upper bound for the expected value, and a lower bound for the expected value, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid.

A computer readable medium storing a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:

• respectively receiving user inputted values based on a current position of a pointer on a grid, the pointer corresponding to a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having at least a display device with the grid and the pointer depicted thereon, the grid having a time axis and a value axis, the value axis representing a plurality of candidate values from which a user selects at least some of the user inputted values based on the current position of the pointer on the grid, the pointer being positionable by the user via the graphical user interface;
• generating estimates based on the user inputted values;
• creating three curves for display on the grid based on at least one of, the user inputted values and the estimates, wherein the three curves comprise a first, a second, and a third curve representing a triangular distribution and respectively corresponding to expected values for a given item under evaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expected values, and lower bounds with respect to the expected values;
• and
• applying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid and enters triplets corresponding to an expected value, an upper bound for the expected value, and a lower bound for the expected value, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid.