Resource Collaboration Optimization Tool for Project Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating project team size are inaccurate as they fail to consider factors like skill set, work efficiency, and communication overhead, often leading to project failures due to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system that optimizes project resource allocation by iteratively adding part-time resources to roles, determining the impact on project duration, and adjusting resource assignments to minimize total effort, cost, and duration through a resource collaboration optimization tool (RCOT) that calculates communication overhead based on historical data and collaboration models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rudimentary FTE calculation method is used to estimate team size, then the estimation process is simple and quick, but the accuracy of the estimate deteriorates due to inability to account for skill sets, work efficiency, and communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the estimation process from a simple FTE calculation to a multi-parameter optimization model that considers skill sets, work efficiency, communication overhead, and resource constraints. The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously (resource types, allocation percentages, team structure) to achieve accurate estimation while managing complexity through automated computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optimization engine that acts as a mediator between the simple input parameters and the complex output estimates. This engine automatically performs the complex calculations involving communication overhead models, skill matching, and iterative optimization, shielding users from the complexity while delivering accurate results.
2Reliability
If collaboration overhead is adjusted using a percentage-based overhead factor, then the estimation process remains simple, but the accuracy deteriorates due to inconsistency and lack of consideration for actual communication patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single-parameter overhead percentage with a multi-parameter communication model that considers team size, skill compatibility, work efficiency, and collaboration patterns. This transforms the unreliable overhead adjustment into a reliable multi-dimensional analysis while using automated algorithms to manage the increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements iterative optimization with feedback loops that adjust resource allocations based on calculated communication overhead and project constraints. The system continuously refines estimates by feeding back the impact of each resource addition on overall project metrics, improving reliability through systematic refinement rather than single-pass estimation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If more resources are added to a project to reduce duration, then the project duration decreases, but the communication overhead and total effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multi-parameter optimization to find the optimal balance between resource allocation and communication overhead. Rather than simply adding resources to reduce duration, the system adjusts multiple parameters (resource types, skill sets, allocation percentages) to achieve duration reduction while minimizing the increase in communication overhead through intelligent resource selection and team structure optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by carefully selecting which specific roles receive additional resources based on skill set requirements and communication efficiency. Instead of uniformly adding resources across all roles, the system targets specific positions where resource addition provides maximum duration reduction with minimum communication overhead increase, based on the specific project requirements and team dynamics.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including receiving a plurality of roles in a data processing system and adding a part-time resource to at least one role. The method also includes determining, in the data processing system, if a project duration has changed as a result of adding the part-time resource, and if the project duration has changed, repeating the process at the adding step. The method also includes storing results corresponding to the resources assigned to roles. There is also a similar data processing system and machine-usable medium.