A method of for at least one task selecting at least one worker to perform the task

Abstract

A system, and method including the system, are disclosed for selecting at least one worker to perform at least one task. A processing system 1 comprises processor 2, a plurality of tasks 4 and a plura

Claims

1. A method of for at least one task selecting at least one worker to perform the task, the method comprising the steps of(a) providing a processing system, the processing system comprising a plurality of tasks and, a plurality of worker records, each worker record corresponding to a worker;(b) for a plurality of task requests, the processing system(i) receiving a task request from a worker;(ii) identifying the worker record for the worker;(iii) filtering the plurality of tasks based on the worker record to produce a list of available tasks;(iv) providing the list of available tasks to the worker;(v) receiving from the worker an expression of interest for at least one of the tasks in the list of available tasks;(vi) for each task in respect of which an expression of interest has been received from the worker, linking the task to the worker record;and,(c) for at least one task which has worker records linked thereto, selecting workers to performthe task based on their worker records linked to the task.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 where the step of filtering the plurality of tasks based on the worker record to produce a list of available tasks comprises the step of for each task determining a worker suitability score for the worker from the worker record for that worker and including the task in the list of available tasks if the suitability score exceeds a threshold value.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of determining a suitability score comprises determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record and then combining the contributing scores to produce the suitability score.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising the step of applying a weighting factor to at least one contributing score before combining them together.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the worker record for each worker comprises a record of auto-clock usage.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining a frequency of auto-clock usage contributing score from the record of auto-clock usage.

7. A method as claimed in either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining a reliability of auto-clock usage contributing score from the record of auto-clock usage.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the worker record for each worker comprises an historical attendance record.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining a punctuality contributing score from the historical attendance record.

10. A method as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining an absence rate contributing score from the historical attendance record.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the worker record for each worker comprises a training record.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining a training contributing score from the training record.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 12, wherein the worker record for each worker comprises a qualification record.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining a qualification contributing score from the qualification record.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the worker record for each worker comprises a record of previous tasks offered to the worker.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores from the worker record comprises the step of determining an acceptance rate contributing score from the record of previous tasks offered to the worker.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein each task has a location associated therewith.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores comprises the step of determining a proximity contributing score from the proximity of the worker to the location associated with the task.

19. A method as claimed in either of claims 17 or 18, when dependent on claim 15, and wherein the step of determining a plurality of contributing scores comprises the step ofdetermining a previous attendance contributing score dependent on if the worker has previously performed a task at the location of the task for which the suitability score is being determined.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising the step of comparing the tasks in the list of available tasks to at least one predetermined criterion and removing any task that does not satisfy the at least one criterion before providing the list of available tasks to the worker.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising the step of adding at least one preferred task to the list of available tasks before providing the list of available tasks to the worker.

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein the step of selecting workers to perform the task based on their worker records linked to the task is performed by a human operator.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the step of selecting workers to perform the task based on their worker records linked to the task is performed by the processing system.

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 23, wherein the step of selecting workers to perform the task based on their worker records linked to the task is based on a comparison of the suitability scores of the workers having worker records linked to the task.

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising the step of sending a message over an electronic network to the at least one selected worker offering the task to the worker.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of pairing the task with the at least one worker in an attendance system on receipt of an acceptance of the task from the at least one worker.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein a plurality of workers are selected for the task, the method further comprising the steps of(d) sending a message over an electronic network to each selected worker in order of decreasing suitability score, the message offering the task to the worker;(e) receiving an acceptance from at least one of the workers; and,(f) pairing the task with at least one of the workers who has provided an acceptance in anattendance system.

28. A processing system suitable for for at least one task selecting at least one worker to perform the task, the processing system comprising a plurality of tasks and a plurality of worker records, each worker record corresponding to a worker;the processing system being configured to perform the steps of, for a plurality of task requests(i) receiving a task request from a worker;(ii) identifying the worker record for the worker;(iii) filtering the plurality of tasks based on the worker record to produce a list of available tasks;(iv) providing the list of available tasks to the worker;(v) receiving from the worker an expression of interest for at least one of the tasks in the list of available tasks;(vi) for each task in respect of which an expression of interest has been received from the worker, linking the task to the worker record;29. A processing system as claimed in claim 28, further configured to perform the step of, for at least one task, select workers to perform the task based on their worker records linked to the task.

30. A processing system as claimed in either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the processing system comprises a database and a processor connected to the database, the database comprising a plurality of tasks and a plurality of worker records.A

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