Automated Project Management System for Service Dispatch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current project management systems face challenges in efficiently dispatching workers to geographic locations, tracking time, confirming project completion, ensuring project requirements are met, and generating timely invoices, particularly in service-based industries like telephone line installation and landscaping.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automated work project management that utilizes GPS, geocoding, and mobile devices to dispatch workers, track time, verify project completion, and generate invoices, integrating quality assurance and data analytics for business improvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual worker dispatch methods are used, then flexibility in worker selection is maintained, but dispatch efficiency and accuracy in finding the geographically closest worker deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispatch efficiencyVSAvoidtime to find closest worker

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical dispatch methods with an automated electronic system that uses GPS coordinates and computer algorithms to calculate distances and identify the closest available worker, eliminating manual time-consuming processes while maintaining flexibility through electronic worker availability status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic self-service dispatch by having workers update their own availability status through mobile devices, allowing the system to autonomously match and assign jobs based on real-time location data without requiring manual intervention from dispatchers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual time tracking is used, then simplicity in implementation is maintained, but accuracy in monitoring worker hours deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual time tracking with automated electronic time stamping using GPS location data and mobile device timestamps to record worker arrival and completion times, significantly improving measurement precision while the centralized server automates calculations to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If manual project completion verification is used, then simplicity in process is maintained, but reliability in confirming actual completion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproject completion confirmationVSAvoidverification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where workers electronically confirm project completion through mobile devices, triggering automated verification processes that check GPS location matching, time duration validity, and notify relevant parties, improving reliability while using standardized electronic protocols to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and paper-based verification with automated electronic validation using GPS coordinates, time stamps, and digital communication, significantly improving the reliability of completion confirmation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If manual invoice generation is used, then simplicity in process is maintained, but timeliness in sending invoices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvoicing speedVSAvoidtime delay in invoice sending

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary automated actions by generating and preparing invoices immediately upon project completion confirmation, with the system pre-calculating charges based on stored rate information and automatically queuing invoices for immediate transmission, eliminating delays while using automated templates to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual invoice preparation and mailing with automated electronic invoice generation and transmission through the centralized server, dramatically increasing invoicing speed while using standardized digital formats to streamline the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9342806B2Method and system for automated project management

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 J FLETCHER CREAMER & SON INC

AI summary

A method and system for method for automated work project management. The methods and systems described herein provides for a total end-to-end business solution that will receive a data relating to a new work project, allow dispatching a job in a territory to a desired worker, allow quality assurance to be included as part of the dispatch, automatically track worker time and generate an invoice for the project, and provide analytics and feedback to the business on improving its product or service.