Method and system for concurrent error identification in resource scheduling

• US 6,959,405 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2001
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verint Americas Incorporated (Verint Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Blue Pumpkin Software Inc (Verint Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uckun, Serdar, Nourbakhsh, Illah, Fama, Jason, Shvarts, Simon, Matan, Ofer, Fichtenholtz, Gregory, Hite, Cheryl, Boehmer, Tiffany, Morse, Tyler, Reusser, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER S
• Application Number:
  US09/837,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8, 705/9, 700/99, 700/100, 714/57
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling

Abstract

A method and system for handling real-time indications of resource scheduling conflicts. In one embodiment, the method includes a computer system including a user interface, display, processor, and some form of memory. Contained within the memory is a resource scheduling process that analyzes resource data, scheduling criteria, and work parameters to create a working schedule. In conjunction with the creation of a working schedule, the scheduling process detects resource conflicts that can inhibit the schedule'"'"'s functionality. Once detected an identification process conveys the error to the user concurrently with the schedule process to provide the user with a real-time indication of resource conflicts. The indication is presented in an unobtrusive manner so as to not interfere or impede the scheduling process. In addition, should the specific resource causing the conflict be identifiable, the indication process conveys that information in a similar real-time methodology.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for performing complex resource scheduling of many resources, the method comprising:

providing a real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts during the computer-implemented method;

analyzing resource scheduling data including real-time detection of resource conflicts, wherein resource conflicts include rule based conflicts and calendar based conflicts;

generating an indication that a resource conflict exists concurrent with the computer-implemented method; and

in response to a user input, automatically continuing with the scheduling method without resolving the conflict, including detecting further resource conflicts and generating further indications that resource conflicts exist.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting to the user, upon selection, a description of the resource conflict.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting includes providing the user the choice to suppress the resource conflict.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting include providing the user a potential resolution of the resource conflict.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential resolution further comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling method allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a visual representation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the visual representation includes using colors to represent resource conflicts, including red to represent unsuppressed resource conflicts and yellow to represent suppressed resource conflicts.

8. A system for providing real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts in a resource scheduling process, the system comprising:

a user interface receiving data from a user;

a processor coupled to the user interface, wherein the processor is capable of executing instructions;

a display device coupled to the processor; and

a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device storing instructions comprising a resource scheduling software application for performing complex scheduling of many resources, the application comprising,

a resource scheduling process, wherein the resource scheduling process includes, analyzing agent data, analyzing scheduling criteria, and detecting resource conflicts; and

an error identification process, wherein the error identification process is concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein descriptions of identified resource conflicts and potential resolutions of the identified resource conflicts are conveyed to the user concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein the resource scheduling process is configured such that normal operation of the scheduling process is independent of resolution of any conflicts.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the potential resolutions of the identified resource conflicts-include hyperlinks to relevant portions of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the real-time indication includes a visual representation.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.

12. A computer-readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to:

analyze resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process and detect a resource conflict;

convey unobtrusively to a user an indication that the resource conflict exists concurrently with the resource scheduling process; and

present to the user, upon selecting the indication, a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the conflict, wherein the user may elect to continue normal operation of the resource scheduling process without resolving any conflicts, including conveying to the user indications that at least one further conflict exists.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the executable instruction, when executed, further allow the user to suppress the resource conflict wherein suppressing comprises allowing the resource scheduling process to continue while the resource conflict persists.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the executable instruction, when executed, present a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process where the resource conflict is resolved.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the indication includes a visual representation.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.

17. A system for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts, the system comprising:

at least one server comprising at least one storage device storing executable instructions;

at least one client processor coupled to the server through a network, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one client processor to,

analyze agent data and scheduling criteria to detect a resource conflict;

concurrently convey an identification of the resource conflict;

present, upon selection, a description of the resource conflict;

present a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict; and

generate a resource schedule in the presence of unresolved conflicts, including detecting further conflicts.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the instructions include providing the user the choice to suppress the resource conflict.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the potential solution comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the indication include a visual representation.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed conflict and a second color for a suppressed conflict.

22. A method for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for performing complex scheduling of a plurality of resources, the method:

analyzing resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process including real-time detection of resource conflicts;

providing a real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts during execution of the computer program, including a visual indication;

receiving a user input to suppress the resource conflict, wherein the visual indication of the resource conflict uses a first color for unsuppressed resource conflicts and a second color for suppressed resource conflicts, and wherein suppression of the resource conflict allows the computer program to continue executing to generate a complex schedule with at least one unresolved conflict;

presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved.

23. A method for providing real-time identifications of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for automatically generating complex resource schedules, the method comprising:

analyzing resource scheduling data including real-time detection of resource conflicts;

conveying unobtrusively to a user an indication that a resource conflict exists, wherein the conveying of the indication of the resource conflict occurs concurrently with the resource scheduling process and wherein the indication of a resource conflict includes identifying at least one resource associated with the resource conflict; and

presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential resolution of the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved;

if no input is received in response to the indication, continuing with generating the complex schedule, wherein the complex schedule includes the conflict.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein presenting includes providing the user a choice to suppress the resource conflict.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein presenting includes providing the user a choice of viewing the description of the resource conflict.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the potential solution further comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein conveying an indication includes a visual representation.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the visual representation includes a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the resource conflicts include conflict of multiple different types, and wherein identifying includes indicating a type of a resource conflict.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the multiple different types include a rule-based conflict and a calendar based conflict.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the multiple different types are visually represented including using a third color for a rule-based conflict and a fourth color for a calendar based conflict.

32. A method for generating a resource schedule including concurrent error identification, the method comprising:

receiving scheduling data in a resource scheduling process, including receiving data input by a user;

determining whether a conflict exists on the basis of the received data, including determining whether a conflict is a resource specific conflict;

determining whether a resource specific conflict is rule based or calendar based;

presenting the user with the option to view additional information about a conflict; and

presenting the user with the option to suppress a conflict, wherein suppressing a conflict comprises saving information related to the conflict and generating the resource schedule including the unresolved conflict.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising presenting the user with a hyperlink to a location in a resource scheduling process at which a determined conflict may be resolved by the user.