Scheduling and Assigning Units of Work

• US 20110161128A1
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mckesson Financial Holdings Limited (McKesson Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Mckesson Financial Holdings Limited (McKesson Corp.)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Christopher, Barney, Roschelle, Clay, Jnani
• Application Number:
  US12/651,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20110161128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.13
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for scheduling and assigning worker profiles to units of work. For example, in one embodiment, a scheduling system ensures that (a) workers are appropriately qualified to complete or perform units of work, (b) scheduling conflicts on a workers'"'"' schedule are avoided, and (c) customizable rules and guidelines are followed with respect to assigning the units of work.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for scheduling and assigning units of work, the computer-implemented method comprising:

electronically storing a plurality of worker profiles corresponding respectively to a plurality of workers;

electronically storing one or more worker groups, wherein each of the one or more worker groups is associated with a plurality of worker profiles;

electronically storing a first rule that requires compliance with for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

electronically storing a second rule that requires authorization for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

receiving, via one or more processors, input defining a plurality of units of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input identifying a user associated with a user profile;

receiving input requesting execution of an automated scheduling operation, wherein execution of the automated scheduling function comprises (a) electronically identifying at least one worker group associated with the user profile and (b) receiving input selecting a worker profile from the worker group for scheduling;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input assigning the worker profile to an assignable unit of work;

in response to receiving input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule, generating a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input authorizing the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

updating, via the one or more processors, the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

2. A computer-implemented method for scheduling and assigning units of work, the computer-implemented method comprising:

electronically storing a plurality of worker profiles corresponding respectively to a plurality of workers;

electronically storing one or more worker groups, wherein each of the one or more worker groups is associated with a plurality of worker profiles;

electronically storing a first rule that requires compliance with for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input defining a plurality of units of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input identifying a user associated with a user profile; and

receiving, via the one or more processors, input requesting execution of an automated scheduling operation.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising electronically storing a second rule that requires authorization for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the automated scheduling operation further comprises:

electronically identifying at least one worker group associated with the user profile; and

receiving, via the one or more processors, input selecting a worker profile from the worker group for scheduling.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 further comprising:

in response to receiving input selecting the worker profile from the worker group for scheduling, automatically identifying an assignable unit of work (a) for which the attributes associated with the worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the assignable unit of work, (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the worker profile is assigned to the assignable unit of work, and (c) that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule to assign the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

causing display of the assignable unit of work.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

in response to receiving input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule, generating a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input authorizing the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

updating, via the one or more processors, the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 further comprising:

in response to receiving input selecting the worker profile from the worker group for scheduling, automatically identifying an assignable unit of work (a) for which the attributes associated with the worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the assignable unit of work and (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the worker profile is assigned to the assignable unit of work;

causing display of the assignable unit of work;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit; and

updating, via the one or more processors, the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the automated scheduling operation further comprises:

electronically, via the one or more processors, identifying at least one worker group associated with the user profile; and

receiving, via the one or more processors, input selecting a unit of work for scheduling.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 further comprising:

in response to receiving input selecting a unit of work for scheduling, automatically identifying an assignable worker profile (a) for which the attributes of each of the assignable worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the unit of work, (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the assignable worker profile is assigned to the unit of work, and (c) that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule to assign the assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

causing display of the assignable worker profile.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving input assigning the assignable worker profile to the unit of work;

in response to receiving input assigning the assignable worker profile to the unit of work, generating a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the assignable worker profile to the unit of work;

receiving input (a) denying or (b) authorizing the assignment of the assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

updating the assignable worker profile to reflect the assignment of the unit of work.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 further comprising:

in response to receiving input selecting a unit of work for scheduling, automatically identifying an assignable worker profile (a) for which the attributes of the assignable worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the unit of work and (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the assignable worker profile is assigned to the unit of work;

causing display of the assignable worker profile;

receiving, via the one or more processors, input assigning assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

updating, via the one or more processors, the assignable worker profile to reflect the assigned unit of work.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein each of the respective worker profiles comprises one or more attributes selected from the group consisting of (a) a primary skill, (b) a base rate of pay, (c) a work class, and (d) languages spoken.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein each of the respective units of work comprises one or more work requirements selected from the group consisting of (a) a primary skill, (b) a base rate of pay, (c) a work class, (d) languages spoken, (e) a start time, and (f) an end time.

14. A computer program product for scheduling and assigning units of work, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to store a plurality of worker profiles corresponding respectively to a plurality of workers;

an executable portion configured to store one or more worker groups, wherein each of the one or more worker groups is associated with a plurality of worker profiles;

an executable portion configured to store a first rule that requires compliance with for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

an executable portion configured to store a second rule that requires authorization for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input defining a plurality of units of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input identifying a user associated with a user profile;

an executable portion configured to receive input requesting execution of an automated scheduling operation, wherein execution of the automated scheduling function comprises (a) electronically identifying at least one worker group associated with the user profile and (b) receiving input selecting a worker profile from the worker group for scheduling;

an executable portion configured to receive input assigning the worker profile to an assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule, generate a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input authorizing the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to update the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

15. A computer program product for scheduling and assigning units of work, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to store a plurality of worker profiles corresponding respectively to a plurality of workers;

an executable portion configured to store one or more worker groups, wherein each of the one or more worker groups is associated with a plurality of worker profiles;

an executable portion configured to store a first rule that requires compliance with for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input defining a plurality of units of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input identifying a user associated with a user profile; and

an executable portion configured to receive input requesting execution of an automated scheduling operation.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising an executable portion configured to store a second rule that requires authorization for a worker profile to be assigned to a unit of work.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the executable portion configured to execute the automated scheduling operation further comprises:

an executable portion configured to identify at least one worker group associated with the user profile; and

an executable portion configured to receive input selecting a worker profile from the worker group for scheduling.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input selecting the worker profile from the worker group for scheduling, automatically identify an assignable unit of work (a) for which the attributes associated with the worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the assignable unit of work, (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the worker profile is assigned to the assignable unit of work, and (c) that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule to assign the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to cause display of the assignable unit of work.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to receive input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit of work that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule, generate a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input authorizing the assignment of the worker profile to the assignable unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to update the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

20. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input selecting the worker profile from the worker group for scheduling, automatically identify an assignable unit of work (a) for which the attributes associated with the worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the assignable unit of work and (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the worker profile is assigned to the assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to cause display of the assignable unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input assigning the worker profile to the assignable unit; and

an executable portion configured to update the worker profile to reflect the assignment of the assignable unit of work.

21. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the executable portion configured to execute the automated scheduling operation further comprises:

an executable portion configured to identify at least one worker group associated with the user profile; and

an executable portion configured to receive input selecting a unit of work for scheduling.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input selecting a unit of work for scheduling, automatically identify an assignable worker profile (a) for which the attributes of each of the assignable worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the unit of work, (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the assignable worker profile is assigned to the unit of work, and (c) that would require authorization to be in compliance with the second rule to assign the assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to cause display of the assignable worker profile.

23. The computer program product of claim 22 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to receive input assigning the assignable worker profile to the unit of work;

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input assigning the assignable worker profile to the unit of work, generate a request to (a) authorize or (b) deny the assignment of the assignable worker profile to the unit of work;

an executable portion configured to receive input (a) denying or (b) authorizing the assignment of the assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to update the assignable worker profile to reflect the assignment of the unit of work.

24. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to, in response to receiving input selecting a unit of work for scheduling, automatically identify an assignable worker profile (a) for which the attributes of the assignable worker profile substantially comply with the work requirements associated with the unit of work and (b) that would result in compliance with the first rule provided the assignable worker profile is assigned to the unit of work;

an executable portion configured to cause display of the assignable worker profile;

an executable portion configured to receive input assigning assignable worker profile to the unit of work; and

an executable portion configured to update the assignable worker profile to reflect the assigned unit of work.