Dynamic Job Scheduling Using Weather Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise maintenance and repair operations (MROs) are often hindered by weather conditions, leading to significant costs due to idle resources and rescheduling, as existing scheduling systems fail to effectively account for weather thresholds in planning.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic scheduling system that integrates real-time weather information to create and update job plans, determining resource availability and scheduling tasks based on predicted weather conditions, initiating remedial processes such as rescheduling or cancellation when weather thresholds are not met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional scheduling systems are used without weather integration, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but resource productivity deteriorates due to idle resources during inclement weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces weather information services as an intermediary component between the scheduling system and external weather data sources. This mediator integrates weather forecasts, current conditions, and historical data into the scheduling workflow, allowing the system to dynamically adjust job plans based on weather predictions without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously monitoring weather forecasts and automatically adjusting job plans. The system can reschedule tasks, modify resource allocation, and update timelines in real-time based on predicted weather conditions, optimizing resource productivity while adapting to changing environmental factors
2Productivity
If weather-based dynamic scheduling is implemented, then resource productivity is improved, but system complexity increases due to weather data integration and prediction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining weather forecasts in advance of scheduled tasks and proactively adjusting job plans before adverse weather occurs. This allows the scheduling system to prepare alternative timelines and resource allocations ahead of time, avoiding last-minute disruptions and reducing the complexity of real-time emergency rescheduling
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling system implements feedback loops that continuously monitor weather forecast updates and automatically adjust job plans based on changing conditions. The system compares predicted weather against job requirements, triggers rescheduling when thresholds are exceeded, and validates outcomes, creating a self-correcting mechanism that manages complexity through automated decision-making
3Reliability
If weather thresholds are strictly enforced for task scheduling, then task completion reliability is improved, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates due to limited available time windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments job plans into discrete tasks with individual weather threshold requirements. Each task can be independently evaluated against weather forecasts and rescheduled separately if conditions are not met. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for weather-sensitive tasks while preserving flexibility by allowing non-sensitive tasks to proceed or be rescheduled independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes scheduling parameters such as task timelines, resource allocation, and priority levels based on weather predictions. When weather thresholds are not met, the system adjusts task schedules to alternative time windows, modifies resource assignments, or changes execution priorities, maintaining reliability through parameter optimization rather than rigid scheduling
4Measurement precision
If frequent weather monitoring and prediction updates are performed, then scheduling accuracy is improved, but computational resources and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic weather monitoring at strategically selected intervals rather than continuous monitoring. It obtains weather forecasts at key decision points in the scheduling workflow and updates job plans based on significant weather changes. This periodic approach maintains sufficient prediction accuracy for scheduling decisions while reducing computational overhead compared to continuous real-time monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A work order is dynamically scheduled by a computer system based on an electronic work order that includes information describing one or more tasks and a weather threshold associated with the one or more tasks. Based on the work order, the system creates a job plan, determines an amount and type of resources needed to complete the job plan, and schedules a time on which the job plan is to be performed. The system may further periodically receive weather forecast information from one or more weather information providers, and based on the weather forecast information, may initiate a job plan remedial process.