Patents by Inventor Steven M. Kagan
Steven M. Kagan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10372593Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. The method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Kathryn A. Bassin, Howard M. Hess, Sheng Huang, Steven M. Kagan, Shao C. Li, Zhong J. Li, He H. Liu, Susan E. Smith, Hua F. Tan, Li Wang, Jun Zhu
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Patent number: 10169725Abstract: A method and associated systems for analyzing a change request of a project that involves an IT system, where IT system contains IT artifacts that have predefined relationships. One or more processors obtain a change request; use information contained in the change request to select an applicable decomposition agent; use information in the selected decomposition agent to decompose the change request into a set of component sub-change requests; correlate at least one of the sub-change requests with one of the IT artifacts; and display the sub-change requests. In alternate implementations, selecting the applicable decomposition agent may require additional user input.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya B. Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao C. Li, Xin Zhou, Jun Zhu
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Publication number: 20170139817Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. The method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Kathryn A. BASSIN, Howard M. HESS, Sheng HUANG, Steven M. KAGAN, Shao C. LI, Zhong J. LI, He H. LIU, Susan E. SMITH, Hua F. TAN, Li WANG, Jun ZHU
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Publication number: 20170083843Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may evaluate a conflict risk between parallel projects. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a dependency risk between a first project and a second project is determined based on an artifact submission history of a historical project. Then an overlap risk between the first and second projects is determined based on time schedules of the first and second projects. Next, a conflict risk between the first and second projects is evaluated based on the dependency risk and the overlap risk. Further, embodiments of the present invention may optimize the time schedules of parallel projects thereby enabling parallelization of projects.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya Bin Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao Chun Li, Jeffrey Lewis Robinson, Xin Zhou
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Publication number: 20170083842Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may evaluate a conflict risk between parallel projects. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a dependency risk between a first project and a second project is determined based on an artifact submission history of a historical project. Then an overlap risk between the first and second projects is determined based on time schedules of the first and second projects. Next, a conflict risk between the first and second projects is evaluated based on the dependency risk and the overlap risk. Further, embodiments of the present invention may optimize the time schedules of parallel projects thereby enabling parallelization of projects.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya Bin Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao Chun Li, Jeffrey Lewis Robinson, Xin Zhou
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Patent number: 9594671Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. The method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kathryn A. Bassin, Howard M. Hess, Sheng Huang, Steven M. Kagan, Shao C. Li, Zhong J. Li, He H. Liu, Susan E. Smith, Hua F. Tan, Li Wang, Jun Zhu
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Patent number: 9513873Abstract: A compute-implemented method and apparatus for assisting release planning, including steps of: obtaining remaining requirements that are expected to be included in a current release plan; obtaining the release plan, which comprises a set of planned requirements that are already included in the release plan and a set of release constraints; determining that there is a conflict between the release constraints and the planned requirements; rendering, in response to this determination, a proposal to create a modified release plan that is a function of the remaining requirements and of the current release plan; and forecasting, as a function of the remaining requirements and of the modified release plan, whether the addition of another requirement to the release plan would create a conflict with the release constraints.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya B. Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao C. Li, Xin Zhou, Jun Zhu
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Publication number: 20160154728Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. The method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Kathryn A. BASSIN, Howard M. HESS, Sheng HUANG, Steven M. KAGAN, Shao C. LI, Zhong J. LI, He H. LIU, Susan E. SMITH, Hua F. TAN, Li WANG, Jun ZHU
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Patent number: 9292421Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. the method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kathryn A. Bassin, Howard M. Hess, Sheng Huang, Steven M. Kagan, Shao C. Li, Zhong J. Li, He H. Liu, Susan E. Smith, Hua F. Tan, Li Wang, Jun Zhu
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Publication number: 20150363378Abstract: An approach is provided for managing a display of document unit references. Units of an original version of a document and original references to the units are stored in nodes of a data structure. Responsive to an insertion of a new unit at a location in the document, a new node is inserted into the data structure at a corresponding location, or responsive to a deletion of a unit at the location in the document, a node is deleted from the data structure at the corresponding location. Unit(s) of the updated document resulting from the insertion or deletion are associated to respective original reference(s) in the data structure. During a conference between an editor and other participant(s), a display is generated and presented to the editor. The display includes the unit(s) of the updated document, current reference(s) to the unit(s), and the original reference(s) associated with the unit(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Blaine H. Dolph, Ava Hakim, Steven M. Kagan, Jennifer Martin
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Patent number: 9202188Abstract: A method for impact analysis of change requests of a computing system is provided. The method includes, identifying artifacts and tasks that are impacted by a change request on a target project based on a change request repository, an artifact dependency network and a task-artifact mapping repository. The method further includes, determining an impact analysis priority for each of the identified tasks based on associations among the change request and the identified artifacts and tasks, and a project status tracking repository. The method further includes analyzing an impact of the change request on each of the identified tasks according to the determined impact analysis priority. The method further includes obtaining requirements, requirement dependencies and requirement constraints of the project scope to identifying artifacts and tasks that are impacted by a change request on the target project of the project scope.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya Bin Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao Chun Li, Jeffrey L. Robinson, Xin Zhou
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Publication number: 20150121381Abstract: A method and associated systems for analyzing a change request of a project that involves an IT system, where IT system contains IT artifacts that have predefined relationships. One or more processors obtain a change request; use information contained in the change request to select an applicable decomposition agent; use information in the selected decomposition agent to decompose the change request into a set of component sub-change requests; correlate at least one of the sub-change requests with one of the IT artifacts; and display the sub-change requests. In alternate implementations, selecting the applicable decomposition agent may require additional user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya B. Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao C. Li, Xin Zhou, Jun Zhu
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Publication number: 20150095875Abstract: A compute-implemented method and apparatus for assisting release planning, including steps of: obtaining remaining requirements that are expected to be included in a current release plan; obtaining the release plan, which comprises a set of planned requirements that are already included in the release plan and a set of release constraints; determining that there is a conflict between the release constraints and the planned requirements; rendering, in response to this determination, a proposal to create a modified release plan that is a function of the remaining requirements and of the current release plan; and forecasting, as a function of the remaining requirements and of the modified release plan, whether the addition of another requirement to the release plan would create a conflict with the release constraints.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya B. Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao C. Li, Xin Zhou, Jun Zhu
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Publication number: 20150067635Abstract: A method for impact analysis of change requests of a computing system is provided. The method includes, identifying artifacts and tasks that are impacted by a change request on a target project based on a change request repository, an artifact dependency network and a task-artifact mapping repository. The method further includes, determining an impact analysis priority for each of the identified tasks based on associations among the change request and the identified artifacts and tasks, and a project status tracking repository. The method further includes analyzing an impact of the change request on each of the identified tasks according to the determined impact analysis priority. The method further includes obtaining requirements, requirement dependencies and requirement constraints of the project scope to identifying artifacts and tasks that are impacted by a change request on the target project of the project scope.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Hao Chen, Claudio Cozzi, Ya Bin Dang, Howard M. Hess, Steven M. Kagan, Feng Li, Shao Chun Li, Jeffrey L. Robinson, Xin Zhou
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Publication number: 20150067636Abstract: A method includes generating a test model based on at least one of test group dependencies and test group constraints and generating a resource base. the method includes generating a cost model and generating a resource allocation plan based on the test model, the resource base, and the cost model.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Kathryn A. BASSIN, Howard M. HESS, Sheng HUANG, Steven M. KAGAN, Shao C. LI, Zhong J. LI, He H. LIU, Susan E. SMITH, Hua F. TAN, Li WANG, Jun ZHU
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Patent number: 8774389Abstract: A method and system to optimally route telephone calls between shared service centers is presented. Using a combination of service tiers, Agent Directory, Instant Messaging (IM), and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provides optimal routing of incoming calls for assistance. The method utilizes different protocols during normal operations, transitional operations, and emergency operations, and addresses Shared Service Center (SSC) planning and management.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven M. Kagan, Sandeep Khanna, John Arthur Ricketts, William M. Thompson
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Patent number: 8606613Abstract: Under the present invention when a business process is desired to be outsourced from a client (e.g., a company or governmental unit) to a third party outsourcer, an outsourcing project is initially planned. Typically, the plan includes a plurality of overlapping phases that extend over several time periods. Thereafter, a cost for implementing the outsourcing project is estimated. Should the cost exceed a planned budget of the client, the excess/investment is addressed while an agreement between the client and the outsourcer for the outsourcing project is being reached. This can involve reducing scope, restructuring the overlapping phases to reduce or eliminate the excess cost, and/or integrating funding options to address the cost as part of the agreement.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Katherine C. Hegmann, Steven M. Kagan, John A. Ricketts
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Publication number: 20120166236Abstract: A method and system for establishing an Efficient Frontier (EF) and Attainment Rate (AR) for Business Transformation Outsourcing (BTO) is presented. EF is the maximum service level achievable at a point in time for a specific business process or business process area. AR is the pace at which the EF can be reached from an initial value. Clients, outsourcers, and third-parties determine whether proposals are infeasible (above EF) or inefficient (below AR). Fact-based discussions of the merits and limitations of various implementation initiatives are supported. A determination is made as to whether there are any business segments to which different EF and AR apply. Any underlying factors for the EF and AR of each business segment are determined, and any change (rise or fall) of EF over time is predicted to maintain an optimally accurate EF and/or AR for each business segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Steven M. Kagan, John A. Ricketts
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Patent number: 7885848Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program for managing services of human resources. The method comprises the steps of modeling human resources delivery services from a services provider to a client company to determine outputs from inputs and constraints; and constructing an objective function representative of services resources at said services provider. The method also comprises the steps of determining optimum levels of human resources based on said modeling, said constraints, and said objective function; and allocating said human resources based upon said optimum levels. Preferably, said optimum levels of resources are determined over tiers, sites and time periods. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a system and a method for resource allocation on BTO projects. This preferred system includes an optimization model, along with its inputs and outputs. This system may be used to address dynamic client needs before and during BTO projects.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven M. Kagan, Philip J. Morales, John A. Ricketts
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Publication number: 20090138300Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for optimizing managed business processes, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for optimizing vendor payroll services. A method for allocating outsourced business processes among a plurality of performing entities includes defining a hierarchy of goals from a subset of data input to an optimization tool embodied in a computer infrastructure, wherein the data includes constraints, and iteratively running the optimization tool based on the data and the hierarchy. The method also includes relaxing at least one of the constraints to generate a solution that satisfies the data and the hierarchy, and outputting the solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven M. Kagan, John A. Ricketts