Gamified Data Input Framework for Enterprise ML Bias Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enterprise systems face challenges in collecting comprehensive and timely data for machine learning due to user reluctance in entering data, especially for unsuccessful sales engagements, leading to biased training data.

Innovation Solution

A framework that utilizes gamification techniques to encourage user input by assigning points for project updates, displayed on a user interface to foster friendly competition, improving data completeness and frequency across the lifecycle of projects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users are required to enter all project data manually, then data completeness improves, but user burden and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service data entry by automatically capturing project data from various sources and populating the enterprise system without requiring manual user input. Users simply need to confirm or review the auto-filled information, dramatically reducing time consumption while maintaining data completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data collection and processing before user review. Data is gathered from multiple sources in advance, pre-processed and organized into the required format, and presented to users ready for confirmation, eliminating the need for users to start from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users are encouraged to enter more project updates, then data quantity and frequency improve, but data quality and accuracy may deteriorate due to rushed or careless input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata input frequencyVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gamification system provides immediate feedback through points, badges, and leaderboards that reinforce accurate and complete data entry. The feedback mechanism guides users on what constitutes quality input and rewards them for maintaining high standards, thus improving both frequency and accuracy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of user motivation from intrinsic (time-consuming manual entry) to extrinsic (gamification rewards). By transforming the data entry process into a game-like experience with points and rankings, users are motivated to enter data more frequently without compromising quality, as the game mechanics encourage careful input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If the enterprise system requires detailed project tracking, then data comprehensiveness improves, but system complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata comprehensivenessVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer that automatically processes and structures raw project data before presenting it to users. This intermediary processing layer handles the complexity of data organization, validation, and formatting, allowing users to interact with a simplified interface while maintaining comprehensive data tracking in the background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If salespeople are incentivized to enter all sales engagements including unsuccessful ones, then training data bias reduces, but user motivation and engagement may decrease due to increased workload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining data representativenessVSAvoiduser engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the previously harmful effect of selective data entry (which created bias) into a beneficial gamified challenge. By making data entry a game with rewards, the system turns the burden of entering all sales engagements into an engaging activity, thereby obtaining representative training data while maintaining or even improving user engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10810511B2Data input in an enterprise system for machine learning

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 SAP SE

AI summary

A framework for improving data set in an enterprise system for machine learning is provided. In accordance with one aspect, user input of a project update is provided by a user to an enterprise system. A record of the project update is created in the enterprise system based on the user input. The project update provided by the user into the enterprise system is analyzed using a gamification technique. The analysis includes quantifying the user's input of the project update to the enterprise system by assigning points to the user based on the project update provided to the enterprise system. The assigned points are displayed to the user on a user interface of a user device to enable friendly competition with other users which encourages more detailed and frequent project updates to the enterprise system by the user.