System and method for producing schedules of resource requests having uncertain durations

US5623404A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company · US

Inventors

• John Collins · Hudson, US
• Elizabeth M. Sisley · Woodbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 18, 1994
• Grant date: Apr 22, 1997
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/06312
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for scheduling resource requests for a resource provider generate a first schedule, based on expected durations of each resource request, and a second schedule, based on longer, pessimistic durations of each resource request. A user interface simultaneously displays the first and second schedules to a system user. The first schedule provides the system user with a guide to good overall management of the resource performance. The second schedule provides the system user with a guide for making time commitments to customers with a greater degree of confidence. The system and method employ a variety of techniques including statistic probability calculations to determine expected and pessimistic durations for each resource request, and incorporate features for updating the first and second schedules in response to dynamic changes in the resource environment.