Dynamic prioritization in a work management process

• US 20070005413A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hennings, Eric, Pinckney, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/171,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20070005413A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group

Abstract

The present application describes an integrated work management and tracking framework that implements a dynamic prioritization process that identifies one or more user tasks that should be given priority by the user. The dynamic prioritization process suggests a small set of tasks or items to the user that the user should focus on and it allows the user to choose the tasks/items that the user determines to be of priority.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

detecting a prioritization event;

generating a search filter based on available resources and a user work history;

using the search filter to identify, from a set of action objects, a subset of one or more action objects that are substantially in accordance with the user work history and are accommodated by the available resources;

presenting the subset of action objects to the user via a user interface as selectable suggested actions;

receiving user input selecting one or more of the suggested actions for inclusion into a user work schedule; and

incorporating user selected suggested actions into the user work schedule.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting a prioritization event further comprises detecting when a time slot in the user work schedule becomes available.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting a prioritization event further comprises detecting a user request for prioritization.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising tracking the user'"'"'s work to derive the user work history.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating a search filter further comprises receiving user input identifying one or more search terms.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating a search filter further comprises receiving user input assigning a weight to one or more search terms.

7. A work management system, comprising:

memory;

a processor;

a prioritization module configured to search a plurality of action objects for one or more action objects that substantially match to a time period based on action object attributes and resources available for the time period; and

a user interface configured to present the one or more matching action objects to a user and accept selection input from the user to identify at least one matching action object to be scheduled for the time period.

8. The work management system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a filter generation module configured to create a search filter for use by the prioritization module by identifying attributes, user work history and user input to be used in the search.

9. The work management system as recited in claim 8, wherein the user input identifies one or more search terms.

10. The work management system as recited in claim 8, wherein the user input further comprises assigning a weight to one or more search terms.

11. The work management system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a task tracker configured to track a user'"'"'s work history regarding actions the user works on and in relation to one or more calendar events associated with the actions.

12. The work management system as recited in claim 7, wherein the prioritization module is further configured to detect a prioritization event that initiates the search.

13. The work management system as recited in claim 12, wherein the prioritization event further comprises a user request to initiate the search.

14. The work management system as recited in claim 12, wherein the prioritization event further comprises a change in a user work schedule.

15. One or more computer-readable media containing executable instructions that, when executed, perform the following steps:

searching a plurality of action objects to identify one or more action objects that describe an action suitable for inclusion in a calendar time slot based on action object attributes, user input and tracked properties;

presenting the matching one or action objects in a user interface as selectable user interface elements; and

receiving selected action objects for inclusion in the calendar time slot.

16. The one or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving user input that assigns a search weight to one or more search terms.

17. The one or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving one or more search terms from user input.

18. The one or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 15, further comprising detecting a prioritization event and performing the search in response to the detection.

19. The one or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 18, wherein the prioritization event further comprises the time slot being identified as being available.

20. The one or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 18, wherein the prioritization event further comprises a request from the user to perform the search.