Excel-Based Knowledge Assessment Tool with Shared Folder Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knowledge assessment and test data evaluation tools are cumbersome, time-intensive, and require external databases and complex tools, limiting user-friendly customization and randomization of test questions, making them inaccessible to non-experts and inefficient for automated test processing and result reporting.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using shared folders on a server to store and manage test data, allowing users to create and administer tests with random question subsets, store results, and update timestamps, implemented in Microsoft Excel without requiring a dedicated server or external database, enabling flexible customization and efficient test management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If external databases and complex tools are used for knowledge assessment and test data evaluation, then data storage capacity and processing power are improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the database functionality directly into the Excel test management tool by using shared folders on a server. Instead of separating the database into an external complex system, the solution combines data storage and processing capabilities within the familiar Excel environment, allowing users to manage test data without needing separate database management tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform knowledge assessment and test data evaluation independently using Excel macros and shared folders. Users can create tests, store results, and generate reports without requiring external database management tools or expert intervention, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate.
2Productivity
If external databases and complex tools are used for knowledge assessment, then data processing capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Excel spreadsheets as a copy of a traditional database system. By replicating database functionality within Excel using shared folders and macros, the system maintains data processing capability while using a familiar, easy-to-operate interface that users already know from everyday Excel usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The Excel-based system performs multiple functions including data storage, test creation, result evaluation, and report generation within a single familiar application. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized tools while maintaining comprehensive data processing capabilities.
3Extent of automation
If complex external tools are used for test management, then automation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical database management systems with Excel macros and shared folder mechanisms. The automation is achieved through Excel's built-in macro capabilities and file system operations, which are far easier to operate than traditional database management interfaces while still providing automated test creation, result storage, and report generation.
4Reliability
If traditional test management tools are used, then question bank management is improved, but randomization capability and customization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The Excel-based system dynamically generates random question subsets for each test using macros. The question bank is managed in a structured Excel spreadsheet, but the system can randomly select and arrange questions based on user-defined parameters, providing both reliable question bank management and flexible randomization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present description refers in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and a computer system for processing and managing test data. The computer-implemented method for processing and managing test data may comprise:providing a plurality of questions for a test in a tool, the tool being located in a first shared folder;providing a data storage device on a second shared folder, wherein the data storage device comprises a plurality of database files, wherein each database file of the plurality of database files is assigned to a user name from a list of user names used to identify a plurality of users;retrieving date-times of time-stamps of the database files and assigning the date-times to the corresponding user names in the list of user names;if a user from the plurality of users accesses the test, providing a subset of questions from the plurality of questions to the user, wherein the subset of questions is randomly determined by making an order assignment to each of the plurality of questions, wherein the order assignment is based on random numbers associated with each of the plurality of questions;storing a test result of the test in a database file corresponding to a user name of the user; andupdating the time-stamp of said corresponding database file.