Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing productivity

• US 20060090160A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Forsythe, Herbert, Chadalavada, Saritha, Zlatopolsky, Elena, Collins, James, Hasty, Gary, LaMontagne, Diane
• Granted Patent: US 8,046,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing productivity. Methods include establishing a planned execution time for performing a task. The task is assigned a unique identifier. Methods further include comparing the planned execution time with an actual execution time for performing the task and, based upon the results, calculating an efficiency rating. The actual execution time is extracted from a task dispatch system via the unique identifier. Methods also include associating the efficiency rating with one or more of: an individual performing the task, a supervisor of the individual performing the task, a group of individuals with which the individual performing the task is associated, and an organization associated with the individual performing the task.

Claims

1. A method for managing productivity, comprising:

establishing a planned execution time for performing a task, the task being assigned a unique identifier;

comparing the planned execution time with an actual execution time for performing the task, the actual execution time extracted from a task dispatch system via the unique identifier;

calculating an efficiency rating based upon the comparing; and

associating the efficiency rating with at least one of;

an individual performing the task;

a supervisor of an individual performing the task;

a group of individuals associated with an individual performing the task; and

an organization associated with an individual performing the task.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring time spent on a non-assigned task; and

factoring the time spent into the efficiency rating, the non-assigned task including assisting a co-worker on a task assigned to the co-worker.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring time spent on priority work; and

factoring the time spent on priority work into the efficiency rating, the priority work broken down by levels of importance.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein tasks are broken down by:

routine tasks including daily work breaks and administrative duties;

assigned tasks designated for execution during a specified work day; and

travel time associated with going to and from the routine tasks and the assigned tasks.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

differentiating between a number of partially completed tasks and a number of fully completed tasks;

measuring productivity for the partially completed tasks and the number of fully completed tasks as a percentage of a total number of assigned tasks; and

factoring into the measuring any errors in task reporting, the errors accounting for discrepancies in productivity expectations.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a searchable database of task information, the task information searchable by hierarchical levels of task detail, the levels including a task level, an individual level, a group level, and an organization level.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reports include:

individual performance reports; and

trends reports.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the task is related to a telecommunication central office function assigned to a technician.

9. A system for managing productivity, comprising:

a host system executing a dispatch system and a productivity management application; and

a storage device in communication with the host system, the productivity management application performing;

receiving a planned execution time for performing a task, the task being assigned a unique identifier;

comparing the planned execution time with an actual execution time for performing the task, the actual execution time extracted from a task dispatch system via the unique identifier;

calculating an efficiency rating based upon the comparing;

associating the efficiency rating with at least one of;

an individual performing the task;

a supervisor of an individual performing the task;

a group of individuals associated with an individual performing the task; and

an organization associated with an individual performing the task; and

storing the efficiency rating in the storage device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the productivity management application further performs:

measuring time spent on a non-assigned task; and

factoring the time spent into the efficiency rating, the non-assigned task including assisting a co-worker on a task assigned to the co-worker.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the productivity management application further performs:

measuring time spent on priority work; and

factoring the time spent on priority work into the efficiency rating, the priority work broken down by levels of importance.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein tasks are broken down by:

routine tasks including daily work breaks and administrative duties;

assigned tasks designated for execution during a specified work day; and

travel time associated with going to and from the routine tasks and the assigned tasks.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the productivity management application further performs:

differentiating between a number of partially completed tasks and a number of fully completed tasks;

measuring productivity for the partially completed tasks and the number of fully completed tasks as a percentage of a total number of assigned tasks; and

factoring into the measuring any errors in task reporting, the errors accounting for discrepancies in productivity expectations.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the productivity management application further performs:

presenting a searchable database of task information, the task information searchable by hierarchical levels of task detail, the levels including a task level, an individual level, a group level, and an organization level.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the reports include:

individual performance reports; and

trends reports.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the task is related to a telecommunication central office function assigned to a technician.

17. A computer program product for managing productivity, the computer program product comprising:

a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for facilitating a method comprising;

establishing a planned execution time for performing a task, the task being assigned a unique identifier;

comparing the planned execution time with an actual execution time for performing the task, the actual execution time extracted from a task dispatch system via the unique identifier;

calculating an efficiency rating based upon the comparing; and

associating the efficiency rating with at least one of;

an individual performing the task;

a supervisor of an individual performing the task;

a group of individuals associated with an individual performing the task; and

an organization associated with an individual performing the task.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising instructions for causing the processing circuit to implement:

measuring time spent on a non-assigned task; and

factoring the time spent into the efficiency rating, the non-assigned task including assisting a co-worker on a task assigned to the co-worker.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising instructions for causing the processing circuit to implement:

measuring time spent on priority work; and

factoring the time spent on priority work into the efficiency rating, the priority work broken down by levels of importance.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein tasks are broken down by:

routine tasks including daily work breaks and administrative duties;

assigned tasks designated for execution during a specified work day; and

travel time associated with going to and from the routine tasks and the assigned tasks.