AI Cycle Time Prediction for Agile Story Anomalies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Agile development project management software lacks the capability to automatically predict cycle times for new stories and identify root causes of cycle time anomalies, hindering efficient timeline management and potential development bottlenecks.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze historical Agile story data, predict cycle times for new stories, and identify anomalies by converting relevant features into vectors and training a neural network classification model to generate alerts and remediate potential issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If project management software tracks cycle time of stories, then developers can visualize cycle time, but the software cannot automatically predict cycle time for new stories or identify root causes of anomalies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle time prediction accuracyVSAvoidsoftware system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an artificial intelligence model as an intermediary between historical story data and cycle time prediction. The AI model processes historical cycle time data, story features, and team performance metrics to generate predictions for new stories, thereby resolving the contradiction by adding a specialized predictive component rather than fundamentally redesigning the entire project management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis by training the AI model on historical data before actual prediction is needed. The model learns from past stories, team performances, and cycle time patterns in advance, enabling it to automatically predict cycle times for new stories without requiring complex real-time calculations when stories are created.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If developers manually analyze historical data to predict cycle time, then predictions can be made, but it consumes significant time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidtime for data analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling the AI model to automatically analyze historical data, identify patterns, and generate cycle time predictions without requiring developer intervention. The model continuously learns from new data and autonomously provides predictions, eliminating the need for manual data analysis while improving development efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual data analysis with an automated AI-based system. Instead of developers manually examining historical stories and calculating predictions, the neural network model automatically processes data and generates predictions, significantly reducing the time and effort required while maintaining or improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the system predicts cycle time for new stories, then timeline management improves, but root cause identification of anomalies requires additional analysis capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeline management reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AI model is designed with multi-functionality, serving both cycle time prediction and root cause identification purposes. The same neural network that predicts cycle times also analyzes prediction deviations and identifies underlying causes by examining story features, team performance, and historical patterns, thereby improving timeline management without requiring a separate complex analysis system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the prediction function and anomaly analysis function into a single integrated AI system. Rather than having separate systems for predicting cycle times and identifying root causes of deviations, the unified model performs both functions by analyzing the same underlying data patterns, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10540573B1Story cycle time anomaly prediction and root cause identification in an agile development environment
Publication Date: 2020.01.21 FMR CORP
  • US10540573B1 patent drawing
  • US10540573B1 patent drawing
  • US10540573B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are described for automated computer text classification and routing using artificial intelligence transfer learning. A server captures historical story data from an Agile development tracking system. For each completed story, the server generates a vector based upon story-specific features and assigns a label to the vector based upon a cycle time associated with the story. The server trains a classification model using a neural network on the vectors and labels. The server captures new story data from the Agile development tracking system. For each new story, the server generates a vector based upon story-specific features and executes the trained model on the vector to generate a cycle time prediction for the new story. Based upon the cycle time prediction, the server identifies deficiencies in the new story and generates an alert message.