U.S. patent application number 17/837639 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-29 for identifying related messages in a natural language interaction.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Hernan A. Cunico, John M. Ganci, JR., Martin G. Keen, Mary Rudden, Craig M. Trim.
Application Number | 20220309441 17/837639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006390989 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220309441 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rudden; Mary ; et
al. |
September 29, 2022 |
IDENTIFYING RELATED MESSAGES IN A NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERACTION
Abstract
By executing a natural language processing model on a set of
natural language text describing a first engagement, a set of
characteristics of the first engagement is generated. By executing
the natural language processing model on a set of natural language
text describing a future engagement, a set of characteristics of
the future engagement is generated. The first engagement is
determined to be above a threshold similarity with the future
engagement. Using the skillset used in performing the first
engagement, a required skillset of the future engagement is
forecasted. By executing the natural language processing model on a
set of natural language text describing a current skillset, a set
of characteristics of the current skillset is generated. Using the
required skillset of the future engagement and the set of
characteristics of the current skillset, a learning path is
generated.
Inventors: |
Rudden; Mary; (Denver,
CO) ; Trim; Craig M.; (Ventura, CA) ; Keen;
Martin G.; (Cary, NC) ; Ganci, JR.; John M.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Cunico; Hernan A.; (Holly Springs,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
1000006390989 |
Appl. No.: |
17/837639 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16863786 |
Apr 30, 2020 |
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17837639 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 19/003 20130101;
G06Q 10/063112 20130101; G06F 40/40 20200101; G06Q 10/063118
20130101; G06Q 10/0639 20130101; G06Q 50/2057 20130101; G09B
19/0053 20130101; G06N 3/04 20130101; G06Q 10/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20060101
G06Q010/06; G06Q 50/20 20060101 G06Q050/20; G06Q 10/04 20060101
G06Q010/04; G06N 3/04 20060101 G06N003/04; G06F 40/40 20060101
G06F040/40; G09B 19/00 20060101 G09B019/00 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: constructing a
software application interfacing with a training management system,
the software application comprising a forecasting function
enhancing a training selection functionality of the training
management system by: determining, using a first set of
characteristics extracted from a natural language text of a first
engagement and a future set of characteristics extracted from an
image data describing a future engagement, that the first
engagement is above a threshold similarity with the future
engagement; forecasting, using a skillset used in performing the
first engagement, a required skillset of the future engagement;
generating a set of steps to transform a current skillset to the
required skillset.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first
engagement comprises a completed engagement.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first
engagement comprises an ongoing engagement.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first
set of characteristics comprises the skillset used in performing
the first engagement.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first
set of characteristics comprises a level of a skill of the skillset
used in performing the first engagement.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
augmenting, by executing a convolutional neural network model on a
set of image data describing the first engagement, the first set of
characteristics.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the future
set of characteristics is extracted at least in part by: executing
a convolutional neural network model on the image data describing
the future engagement.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
performing a clustering technique on the first set of
characteristics and the future set of characteristics to determine
similarity between with the first engagement and the future
engagement.
9. A computer program product for natural language document based
skill requirement forecasting, the computer program product
comprising: one or more computer readable storage media, and
program instructions collectively stored on the one or more
computer readable storage media, the program instructions
comprising: program instructions to construct a software
application interfacing with a training management system, the
software application comprising a forecasting function enhancing a
training selection functionality of the training management system
by: program instructions to determine, using a first set of
characteristics extracted from a natural language text of a first
engagement and a future set of characteristics extracted from an
image data describing a future engagement, that the first
engagement is above a threshold similarity with the future
engagement; program instructions to forecast, using a skillset used
in performing the first engagement, a required skillset of the
future engagement; program instructions to generate a set of steps
to transform a current skillset to the required skillset.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first
engagement comprises a completed engagement.
11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first
engagement comprises an ongoing engagement.
12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first set
of characteristics comprises the skillset used in performing the
first engagement.
13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first set
of characteristics comprises a level of a skill of the skillset
used in performing the first engagement.
14. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising:
program instructions to augment, by executing a convolutional
neural network model on a set of image data describing the first
engagement, the first set of characteristics.
15. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the future set
of characteristics is extracted at least in part by: program
instructions to execute a convolutional neural network model on the
image data describing the future engagement.
16. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the stored
program instructions are stored in the at least one of the one or
more storage media of a local data processing system, and wherein
the stored program instructions are transferred over a network from
a remote data processing system.
17. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the stored
program instructions are stored in the at least one of the one or
more storage media of a server data processing system, and wherein
the stored program instructions are downloaded over a network to a
remote data processing system for use in a computer readable
storage device associated with the remote data processing
system.
18. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the computer
program product is provided as a service in a cloud
environment.
19. A computer system comprising one or more processors, one or
more computer-readable memories, and one or more computer-readable
storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of
the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of
the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more
memories, the stored program instructions comprising: one or more
computer readable storage media, and program instructions
collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage
media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to
construct a software application interfacing with a training
management system, the software application comprising a
forecasting function enhancing a training selection functionality
of the training management system by: program instructions to
determine, using a first set of characteristics extracted from a
natural language text of a first engagement and a future set of
characteristics extracted from an image data describing a future
engagement, that the first engagement is above a threshold
similarity with the future engagement; program instructions to
forecast, using a skillset used in performing the first engagement,
a required skillset of the future engagement; program instructions
to generate a set of steps to transform a current skillset to the
required skillset.
20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the first engagement
comprises a completed engagement.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a method, system,
and computer program product for skill requirement forecasting.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a method,
system, and computer program product for natural language document
based skill requirement forecasting.
[0002] Workers often work together on projects, also called
engagements. Team members may have different skills, or different
levels of similar skills. Because not every engagement is exactly
like a previous engagement, and team members enter and leave teams,
organizations must ensure their workforce is sufficiently skilled
to meet the needs of upcoming engagements. Additionally, providing
employees with learning opportunities is an attractive benefit when
recruiting and retaining the most talented workers. However,
providing employees with learning opportunities that do not match
an organization's needs might not be cost-effective for the
organization.
SUMMARY
[0003] The illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and
computer program product. An embodiment includes a method that
generates, by executing a natural language processing model on a
set of natural language text describing a first engagement, a set
of characteristics of the first engagement, the set of
characteristics of the first engagement comprising a skillset
associated with performing the first engagement. An embodiment
generates, by executing the natural language processing model on a
set of natural language text describing a future engagement, a set
of characteristics of the future engagement. An embodiment
determines that the first engagement is above a threshold
similarity with the future engagement. An embodiment forecasts,
using the skillset used in performing the first engagement, a
required skillset of the future engagement. An embodiment
generates, by executing the natural language processing model on a
set of natural language text describing a current skillset, a set
of characteristics of the current skillset. An embodiment
generates, using the required skillset of the future engagement and
the set of characteristics of the current skillset, a learning
path, the learning path describing a set of steps required to
transform the current skillset to the required skillset.
[0004] An embodiment includes a computer usable program product.
The computer usable program product includes one or more
computer-readable storage devices, and program instructions stored
on at least one of the one or more storage devices.
[0005] An embodiment includes a computer system. The computer
system includes one or more processors, one or more
computer-readable memories, and one or more computer-readable
storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of
the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of
the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more
memories.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Certain novel features believed characteristic of the
invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention
itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further
objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by
reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a network of data
processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented;
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a data processing system
in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an example configuration
for natural language document based skill requirement forecasting
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an example configuration
for natural language document based skill requirement forecasting
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of an example configuration
for natural language document based skill requirement forecasting
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts an example of natural language document based
skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts an example of natural language document based
skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts an example of natural language document based
skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts an example of natural language document based
skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 10 depicts a continued example of natural language
document based skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 11 depicts a continued example of natural language
document based skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart of an example process for
natural language document based skill requirement forecasting in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 13 depicts a cloud computing environment according to
an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 14 depicts abstraction model layers according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The illustrative embodiments recognize that it is difficult
to effectively identify future skill needs. Humans often identify
future skill needs based on continuity with a past project (e.g.,
the previous engagement required C programming skills, so this one
will too), a problem with a past project (e.g., the previous
engagement needed someone with project management skills, so we
should add a project manager to the team for this project), an
exciting new tool (e.g., this new programming language looks great,
let's use it on the next project), team members' interests, and the
like, but rarely consider more than a few past engagements and are
often not determined in a systematic manner. In addition,
engagements and skills are typically described using unstructured
data, often using natural language text and diagrams, making data
analysis and forecasting difficult for a computer-implemented
application to perform.
[0022] The illustrative embodiments recognize that it is also
difficult to identify workers who already have skills that will be
needed in the future, or who could benefit from changing or
upgrading their skills to meet future needs. It is also difficult
to determine appropriate training in the needed skills. Often,
training is too basic or too advanced for a particular worker's
current skill level. Training may not be available when a worker
has time to devote to training or before a new assignment uses the
subject of the training. In addition, a manager may be unaware that
someone in a different group already has the required skills and
might be interested in transferring to a new team. Reskilling
refers to training employees who have skills or areas of expertise
that are likely to be underused in an organization into new skills
or areas of expertise that that are more likely to be needed.
Upskilling refers to providing additional training to employees
already exhibiting expertise in a given area to ensure their skills
remain up-to-date as they continue in their current job roles. A
learning path is a set of courses a learning progresses through to
achieve a particular skill or set of skills. For example, a
learning path for a learner reskilling from computer hardware
engineering to software development might include a sequence of
courses in basic, intermediate, and advanced software development
in a particular programming language, as well as a course in
software testing. Typically, some courses or modules in a learning
path must be taken in order (e.g. basic before advanced), but
others need not be.
[0023] Thus, the illustrative embodiments recognize that there is
an unmet need to forecast skill needs from engagement and skill
data in natural language form and determine a learning path that
meets the forecasted needs.
[0024] The illustrative embodiments recognize that the presently
available tools or solutions do not address these needs or provide
adequate solutions for these needs. The illustrative embodiments
used to describe the invention generally address and solve the
above-described problems and other problems related to natural
language document based skill requirement forecasting.
[0025] An embodiment can be implemented as a software application.
The application implementing an embodiment can be configured as a
modification of an existing training management system, as a
separate application that operates in conjunction with an existing
training management system, a standalone application, or some
combination thereof.
[0026] Particularly, some illustrative embodiments provide a method
that generates a set of characteristics of a first engagement
including a skillset used in performing the engagement, generates a
set of characteristics of a future engagement, determining that the
first engagement is above a threshold similarity to the future
engagement, and uses the skillset used in performing the first
engagement to forecast a required skillset of the future
engagement. The method uses the required skillset, along with a set
of characteristics of a current skillset, to generate a learning
path describing a set of steps required to transform the current
skillset to the required skillset.
[0027] An embodiment receives data describing one or more
already-known engagements. An engagement is a project one or more
team members work on. An already-known engagement is an actual
engagement, either completed or ongoing. For example, a team might
just have completed a particular software development project, or
might be almost ready to ship a new hardware apparatus. In one
embodiment, the engagement has been completed and rated above a
threshold level of success, for example for completion on time and
on budget. In another embodiment, an already-known engagement is a
default engagement selected from a set of default engagements, with
selection based on a similarity between the selected default and a
future engagement. For example, when planning learning paths for a
group of software engineers, a default engagement or set of
engagements might be software engineering projects, while when
planning learning paths for a group of chemists, a default
engagement or set of engagements might be chemistry projects or
projects using a particular type of chemistry. Data describing an
engagement includes data in unstructured natural language text
form. Some non-limiting examples of data in unstructured natural
language text form include project proposals, documents of
understanding, scopes of work, status reports, and other engagement
documentation. Data describing an engagement also includes image
data, for example diagrams depicting project phases, charts
illustrating project schedules and dependencies, maps, photographs
of project components, and the like.
[0028] Data describing an already-known engagement also includes
information regarding a skillset, or set of skills, associated with
performing the engagement. The skillset includes skills actually
used in performing the engagement. For example, skills actually
used in performing a software development project might include
programming in a particular programming language. The skillset can
also include skills that are desirable, used in only a portion of
the engagement, used if a condition occurs during the engagement,
or optional. For example, when performing a software development
project debugging and testing might be desirable, or only used in a
portion of the engagement, while programming in a language the
project does not currently use might be desirable but not required.
Information regarding the skillset can also include information on
the level of skill, for example an expert-level software developer
or an undergraduate student working during the summer.
[0029] An embodiment executes a natural language processing model
on natural language text describing an already-known engagement,
generating a set of characteristics of the engagement and including
the skillsets utilized, and the level of expertise exhibited,
during an engagement. In embodiments, the natural language
processing model uses a presently-available technique to analyze
natural language text. In one embodiment, the set of
characteristics includes a set of pre-defined predictors, or
elements of interest. In one embodiment, predictors are stored in a
matrix, in which rows represent particular characteristics and
columns represent a value for a particular characteristic
associated with a particular engagement. Some predictors are
classification predictors, which have binary values (e.g. 0 or 1).
Some non-limiting examples of binary predictors include industry
classification, information technology (IT) platform
classification, and country classification. Some predictors are
regression predictors, which have values within a pre-defined range
(e.g. 0-1). Some non-limiting examples of binary predictors include
engagement length, number of IT systems involved, and number of
participants in an engagement.
[0030] An embodiment augments the set of characteristics of an
already-known engagement by executing a convolutional neural
network model on a set of image data describing the engagement. In
embodiments, the convolutional neural network model uses a
presently-available technique to analyze images and the image
portions of documents.
[0031] An embodiment augments the set of characteristics of an
already-known engagement using input from a human expert. In one
embodiment, expert input is provided in a structured form, for
example via a user interface or database. For example, a project
manager or individual participants might provide information of the
skillsets utilized in order to complete the engagement, indicating
the level of expertise needed with each skillset.
[0032] An embodiment receives data describing one or more future
engagements. A future engagement is a project one or more team
members expect to work on, for which they will use skills they
currently have or skills they need to acquire. For example, a team
might be planning to start a new software development project, and
want to plan training so that appropriate skills are available
within the team when needed for the new project. An embodiment
executes a natural language processing model on natural language
text describing a future engagement, generating a set of
characteristics of the future engagement. In embodiments, the
natural language processing model uses a presently-available
technique to analyze natural language text, and may be the same or
different from the model used to analyze data of a completed or
ongoing engagement. In one embodiment, the set of characteristics
includes a set of pre-defined predictors, or elements of interest.
In one embodiment, predictors, including classification and
regression predictors, are stored in a matrix in a manner described
herein.
[0033] An embodiment augments the set of characteristics of a
future engagement by executing a convolutional neural network model
on a set of image data describing the future engagement. In
embodiments, the convolutional neural network model uses a
presently-available technique to analyze images and the image
portions of documents, and may be the same or different from the
model used to analyze data of a completed or ongoing
engagement.
[0034] In addition, an embodiment uses data describing one or more
engagements to extrapolate additional future engagements that may
not yet have been proposed, entered into an engagement management
system as proposed future engagements, or otherwise explicitly
documented, then analyzes data of the extrapolated future
engagements in a manner described herein. One embodiment analyzes
data of past and ongoing engagements to determine a cyclical
engagement pattern. One non-limiting example of a cyclical, or
recurring, engagement pattern is a particular bank typically
embarking on a mainframe modernization program every three years.
Another embodiment analyzes data of other engagements of other
providers offering similar services in the same or similar industry
sectors. For example, future engagements of an IT consulting
organization specializing in government contracts are likely to be
similar to future engagements other IT consulting organizations
specializing in government contracts are expecting to work on.
Another embodiment analyzes data of speculative future engagements
that may or may not become proposed to a customer or entered into
an engagement management system as proposed future engagements. For
example, an IT consulting organization specializing in government
contracts might be contemplating a move into a different industry
sector, but has not yet identified prospective customers in the new
sector or marketed proposed engagements to those prospective
customers.
[0035] An embodiment determines that a future engagement is above a
threshold similarity with one or more already-known engagements. To
determine similarity, an embodiment performs a clustering technique
to group sets of characteristics of already-known engagements and
the set of characteristics of the future engagement. One
non-limiting example of a presently-known clustering technique is
the K-Nearest Neighbors algorithm; other clustering techniques are
also available and contemplated within the scope of the present
embodiments. In particular, an embodiment plots a data point for a
future engagement onto an approximation graph based upon the
engagement's classification and regression predictors determined in
a manner described herein. The closer two points are within the
graph, the more similar two corresponding engagements are. Thus, an
embodiment also plots data points for already-known engagements
onto the graph. An embodiment computes a distance between the data
point for the future engagement and data points for already-known
engagements, and selects a set of already-known engagements with
data points that are closest to the data point of the future
engagement. When using the K-Nearest Neighbors algorithm, an
embodiment selects a predefined number (K) of nearest data points.
Another embodiment performs nearest data point plotting and
selection multiple times, with different values of K, stopping when
results for each performance are within a threshold level of
consistency with each other. Another embodiment selects a set of
nearest data points based on relative distances between data
points, or using another technique. As a result, engagements
corresponding to the set of nearest data points have above a
threshold similarity with the future engagement. One embodiment
combines engagements corresponding to the selected data points by
calculating the mean (for regression predictors) or mode (for
classification predictors) of the engagements being combined.
[0036] An embodiment uses one or more skillsets utilized, and the
level of expertise exhibited, during one or more of the most
similar already-known engagements to forecast a required skillset
of the future engagement. In particular, because engagements
corresponding to the set of nearest data points have above a
threshold similarity with the future engagement, skillsets
determined for the already-known engagements will also have above a
threshold similarity with skillsets required in the future
engagement.
[0037] An embodiment receives data describing one or more skillsets
of workers who are candidates for working on a future engagement.
In one embodiment, the data includes descriptions of skillsets, or
relationships of skills to each other, that is not necessarily
specific to a particular worker. For example, this data might
include a description of the skills a typical programmer working as
a full stack developer might have, including particular programming
languages and soft skills such as team leadership. An embodiment
executes a natural language processing model on natural language
text describing the skillsets, generating a set of characteristics
of the skillset. Some non-limiting examples of natural language
text describing skillsets are worker resumes, job descriptions,
recruitment criteria for open positions, and engagement documents
describing capabilities of team members working on, or proposed to
work on, an engagement. The natural language processing model uses
a presently-available technique to analyze natural language text,
and may be the same or different from the model used to analyze
engagement data. In one embodiment, the set of characteristics
includes a set of pre-defined predictors, or elements of interest.
In one embodiment, predictors, including classification and
regression predictors, are stored in a matrix in a manner described
herein.
[0038] An embodiment augments the set of characteristics of a
skillset by executing a convolutional neural network model on a set
of image data describing the skillset. In embodiments, the
convolutional neural network model uses a presently-available
technique to analyze images and the image portions of documents,
and may be the same or different from the model used to analyze
engagement data.
[0039] An embodiment augments the set of characteristics of a
skillset using input from a human expert. In one embodiment, expert
input is provided in a structured form, for example via a user
interface or database. For example, a manager, human resources
professional, or individual participants might provide skillset and
level of expertise information.
[0040] An embodiment uses a required skillset of a future
engagement and the set of characteristics of the currently
available skillset to generate a learning path describing a set of
steps required to transform the current skillset to the required
skillset. For some team members, the learning path can include
upskilling. For example, although a team member is already an
expert in a particular programming language, because the future
engagement is forecast to use a new programming language, this team
member might be offered a course in the new language, geared to
developers who already know the first language. For other team
members, the learning path can include reskilling. For example,
although a team member is already an expert hardware engineer, the
team's next engagement is not forecast to use any hardware
engineering skills. Thus, this team member might be offered a
sequence of courses in basic, intermediate, and advanced software
development in a particular programming language, as well as a
course in software testing.
[0041] An embodiment stores sets of characteristics for engagements
and skillsets in a skills engagement corpus. Stored sets of
characteristics can be used to analyze additional future
engagements and skillsets. In embodiments, the skills engagement
corpus includes additional data, for example an ontology relating
skills to other skills.
[0042] The manner of natural language document based skill
requirement forecasting described herein is unavailable in the
presently available methods in the technological field of endeavor
pertaining to skill requirement forecasting. A method of an
embodiment described herein, when implemented to execute on a
device or data processing system, comprises substantial advancement
of the functionality of that device or data processing system in
generating a set of characteristics of a first engagement including
a skillset used in performing the engagement, generating a set of
characteristics of a future engagement, determining that the first
engagement is above a threshold similarity to the future
engagement, and using the skillset used in performing the first
engagement to forecast a required skillset of the future
engagement. The method uses the required skillset, along with a set
of characteristics of a current skillset, to generate a learning
path describing a set of steps required to transform the current
skillset to the required skillset.
[0043] The illustrative embodiments are described with respect to
certain types of engagements, skills, skillsets, clusters,
thresholds, types of data, forecasts, thresholds, rankings,
devices, data processing systems, environments, components, and
applications only as examples. Any specific manifestations of these
and other similar artifacts are not intended to be limiting to the
invention. Any suitable manifestation of these and other similar
artifacts can be selected within the scope of the illustrative
embodiments.
[0044] Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments may be implemented
with respect to any type of data, data source, or access to a data
source over a data network. Any type of data storage device may
provide the data to an embodiment of the invention, either locally
at a data processing system or over a data network, within the
scope of the invention. Where an embodiment is described using a
mobile device, any type of data storage device suitable for use
with the mobile device may provide the data to such embodiment,
either locally at the mobile device or over a data network, within
the scope of the illustrative embodiments.
[0045] The illustrative embodiments are described using specific
code, designs, architectures, protocols, layouts, schematics, and
tools only as examples and are not limiting to the illustrative
embodiments. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments are
described in some instances using particular software, tools, and
data processing environments only as an example for the clarity of
the description. The illustrative embodiments may be used in
conjunction with other comparable or similarly purposed structures,
systems, applications, or architectures. For example, other
comparable mobile devices, structures, systems, applications, or
architectures therefor, may be used in conjunction with such
embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention. An
illustrative embodiment may be implemented in hardware, software,
or a combination thereof.
[0046] The examples in this disclosure are used only for the
clarity of the description and are not limiting to the illustrative
embodiments. Additional data, operations, actions, tasks,
activities, and manipulations will be conceivable from this
disclosure and the same are contemplated within the scope of the
illustrative embodiments.
[0047] Any advantages listed herein are only examples and are not
intended to be limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional
or different advantages may be realized by specific illustrative
embodiments. Furthermore, a particular illustrative embodiment may
have some, all, or none of the advantages listed above.
[0048] It is to be understood that although this disclosure
includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation
of the teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud
computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention
are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type
of computing environment now known or later developed.
[0049] Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of
configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, network
bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications,
virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or interaction with a
provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five
characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four
deployment models.
[0050] Characteristics are as follows:
[0051] On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally
provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network
storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with the service's provider.
[0052] Broad network access: capabilities are available over a
network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use
by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile
phones, laptops, and PDAs).
[0053] Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are
pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with
different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and
reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the consumer generally has no control or
knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may
be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g.,
country, state, or datacenter).
[0054] Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and
elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly
scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear
to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any
time.
[0055] Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and
optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some
level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource
usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing
transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized
service.
[0056] Service Models are as follows:
[0057] Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud
infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client
devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser
(e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific
application configuration settings.
[0058] Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure
consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control
over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting
environment configurations.
[0059] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided
to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and
other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to
deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating
systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited
control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
[0060] Deployment Models are as follows:
[0061] Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely
for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a
third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0062] Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by
several organizations and supports a specific community that has
shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and
compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations
or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0063] Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to
the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an
organization selling cloud services.
[0064] Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of
two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain
unique entities but are bound together by standardized or
proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between
clouds).
[0065] A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a
focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an
infrastructure that includes a network of interconnected nodes.
[0066] With reference to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, these figures are example diagrams of
data processing environments in which illustrative embodiments may
be implemented. FIGS. 1 and 2 are only examples and are not
intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the
environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. A
particular implementation may make many modifications to the
depicted environments based on the following description.
[0067] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a network of data
processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. Data processing environment 100 is a network of
computers in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented.
Data processing environment 100 includes network 102. Network 102
is the medium used to provide communications links between various
devices and computers connected together within data processing
environment 100. Network 102 may include connections, such as wire,
wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.
[0068] Clients or servers are only example roles of certain data
processing systems connected to network 102 and are not intended to
exclude other configurations or roles for these data processing
systems. Server 104 and server 106 couple to network 102 along with
storage unit 108. Software applications may execute on any computer
in data processing environment 100. Clients 110, 112, and 114 are
also coupled to network 102. A data processing system, such as
server 104 or 106, or client 110, 112, or 114 may contain data and
may have software applications or software tools executing
thereon.
[0069] Only as an example, and without implying any limitation to
such architecture, FIG. 1 depicts certain components that are
usable in an example implementation of an embodiment. For example,
servers 104 and 106, and clients 110, 112, 114, are depicted as
servers and clients only as example and not to imply a limitation
to a client-server architecture. As another example, an embodiment
can be distributed across several data processing systems and a
data network as shown, whereas another embodiment can be
implemented on a single data processing system within the scope of
the illustrative embodiments. Data processing systems 104, 106,
110, 112, and 114 also represent example nodes in a cluster,
partitions, and other configurations suitable for implementing an
embodiment.
[0070] Device 132 is an example of a device described herein. For
example, device 132 can take the form of a smartphone, a tablet
computer, a laptop computer, client 110 in a stationary or a
portable form, a wearable computing device, or any other suitable
device. Any software application described as executing in another
data processing system in FIG. 1 can be configured to execute in
device 132 in a similar manner. Any data or information stored or
produced in another data processing system in FIG. 1 can be
configured to be stored or produced in device 132 in a similar
manner.
[0071] Application 105 implements an embodiment described herein.
Application 105 executes in any of servers 104 and 106, clients
110, 112, and 114, and device 132.
[0072] Servers 104 and 106, storage unit 108, and clients 110, 112,
and 114, and device 132 may couple to network 102 using wired
connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable
data connectivity. Clients 110, 112, and 114 may be, for example,
personal computers or network computers.
[0073] In the depicted example, server 104 may provide data, such
as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients
110, 112, and 114. Clients 110, 112, and 114 may be clients to
server 104 in this example. Clients 110, 112, 114, or some
combination thereof, may include their own data, boot files,
operating system images, and applications. Data processing
environment 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other
devices that are not shown.
[0074] In the depicted example, data processing environment 100 may
be the Internet. Network 102 may represent a collection of networks
and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with one
another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of data
communication links between major nodes or host computers,
including thousands of commercial, governmental, educational, and
other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course,
data processing environment 100 also may be implemented as a number
of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a
local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is
intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for
the different illustrative embodiments.
[0075] Among other uses, data processing environment 100 may be
used for implementing a client-server environment in which the
illustrative embodiments may be implemented. A client-server
environment enables software applications and data to be
distributed across a network such that an application functions by
using the interactivity between a client data processing system and
a server data processing system. Data processing environment 100
may also employ a service oriented architecture where interoperable
software components distributed across a network may be packaged
together as coherent business applications. Data processing
environment 100 may also take the form of a cloud, and employ a
cloud computing model of service delivery for enabling convenient,
on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing
resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,
memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that
can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management
effort or interaction with a provider of the service.
[0076] With reference to FIG. 2, this figure depicts a block
diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative
embodiments may be implemented. Data processing system 200 is an
example of a computer, such as servers 104 and 106, or clients 110,
112, and 114 in FIG. 1, or another type of device in which computer
usable program code or instructions implementing the processes may
be located for the illustrative embodiments.
[0077] Data processing system 200 is also representative of a data
processing system or a configuration therein, such as data
processing system 132 in FIG. 1 in which computer usable program
code or instructions implementing the processes of the illustrative
embodiments may be located. Data processing system 200 is described
as a computer only as an example, without being limited thereto.
Implementations in the form of other devices, such as device 132 in
FIG. 1, may modify data processing system 200, such as by adding a
touch interface, and even eliminate certain depicted components
from data processing system 200 without departing from the general
description of the operations and functions of data processing
system 200 described herein.
[0078] In the depicted example, data processing system 200 employs
a hub architecture including North Bridge and memory controller hub
(NB/MCH) 202 and South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub
(SB/ICH) 204. Processing unit 206, main memory 208, and graphics
processor 210 are coupled to North Bridge and memory controller hub
(NB/MCH) 202. Processing unit 206 may contain one or more
processors and may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous
processor systems. Processing unit 206 may be a multi-core
processor. Graphics processor 210 may be coupled to NB/MCH 202
through an accelerated graphics port (AGP) in certain
implementations.
[0079] In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter
212 is coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub (SB/ICH) 204.
Audio adapter 216, keyboard and mouse adapter 220, modem 222, read
only memory (ROM) 224, universal serial bus (USB) and other ports
232, and PCI/PCIe devices 234 are coupled to South Bridge and I/O
controller hub 204 through bus 238. Hard disk drive (HDD) or
solid-state drive (SSD) 226 and CD-ROM 230 are coupled to South
Bridge and I/O controller hub 204 through bus 240. PCI/PCIe devices
234 may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and
PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller,
while PCIe does not. ROM 224 may be, for example, a flash binary
input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive 226 and CD-ROM 230 may
use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE), serial
advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface, or variants such
as external-SATA (eSATA) and micro-SATA (mSATA). A super I/O (SIO)
device 236 may be coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub
(SB/ICH) 204 through bus 238.
[0080] Memories, such as main memory 208, ROM 224, or flash memory
(not shown), are some examples of computer usable storage devices.
Hard disk drive or solid state drive 226, CD-ROM 230, and other
similarly usable devices are some examples of computer usable
storage devices including a computer usable storage medium.
[0081] An operating system runs on processing unit 206. The
operating system coordinates and provides control of various
components within data processing system 200 in FIG. 2. The
operating system may be a commercially available operating system
for any type of computing platform, including but not limited to
server systems, personal computers, and mobile devices. An object
oriented or other type of programming system may operate in
conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the
operating system from programs or applications executing on data
processing system 200.
[0082] Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented
programming system, and applications or programs, such as
application 105 in FIG. 1, are located on storage devices, such as
in the form of code 226A on hard disk drive 226, and may be loaded
into at least one of one or more memories, such as main memory 208,
for execution by processing unit 206. The processes of the
illustrative embodiments may be performed by processing unit 206
using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a
memory, such as, for example, main memory 208, read only memory
224, or in one or more peripheral devices.
[0083] Furthermore, in one case, code 226A may be downloaded over
network 201A from remote system 201B, where similar code 201C is
stored on a storage device 201D. In another case, code 226A may be
downloaded over network 201A to remote system 201B, where
downloaded code 201C is stored on a storage device 201D.
[0084] The hardware in FIGS. 1-2 may vary depending on the
implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such
as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, or optical disk
drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the
hardware depicted in FIGS. 1-2. In addition, the processes of the
illustrative embodiments may be applied to a multiprocessor data
processing system.
[0085] In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200
may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is generally
configured with flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for
storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. A bus
system may comprise one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O
bus, and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented
using any type of communications fabric or architecture that
provides for a transfer of data between different components or
devices attached to the fabric or architecture.
[0086] A communications unit may include one or more devices used
to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.
A memory may be, for example, main memory 208 or a cache, such as
the cache found in North Bridge and memory controller hub 202. A
processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs.
[0087] The depicted examples in FIGS. 1-2 and above-described
examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For
example, data processing system 200 also may be a tablet computer,
laptop computer, or telephone device in addition to taking the form
of a mobile or wearable device.
[0088] Where a computer or data processing system is described as a
virtual machine, a virtual device, or a virtual component, the
virtual machine, virtual device, or the virtual component operates
in the manner of data processing system 200 using virtualized
manifestation of some or all components depicted in data processing
system 200. For example, in a virtual machine, virtual device, or
virtual component, processing unit 206 is manifested as a
virtualized instance of all or some number of hardware processing
units 206 available in a host data processing system, main memory
208 is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some portion
of main memory 208 that may be available in the host data
processing system, and disk 226 is manifested as a virtualized
instance of all or some portion of disk 226 that may be available
in the host data processing system. The host data processing system
in such cases is represented by data processing system 200.
[0089] With reference to FIG. 3, this figure depicts a block
diagram of an example configuration for natural language document
based skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment. Application 300 is an example of
application 105 in FIG. 1 and executes in any of servers 104 and
106, clients 110, 112, and 114, and device 132 in FIG. 1.
[0090] Engagement characteristics generator 310 receives data
describing one or more engagements. In one implementation of module
310, the engagement has been completed and rated above a threshold
level of success. In another implementation of module 310, an
already-known engagement is a default engagement selected from a
set of default engagements, with selection based on a similarity
between the selected default and a future engagement. Data
describing an engagement includes data in unstructured natural
language text form and image data. Data describing an already-known
engagement also includes information regarding a skillset, or set
of skills, associated with performing the engagement. The skillset
includes skills actually used in performing the engagement, and can
also include skills that are desirable, used in only a portion of
the engagement, used if a condition occurs during the engagement,
or optional. Information regarding the skillset can also include
information on the level of skill.
[0091] Engagement characteristics generator 310 executes a natural
language processing model on natural language text describing an
engagement, generating a set of characteristics of the engagement
and including the skillsets utilized, and the level of expertise
exhibited, during an already-known engagement. Module 310 augments
the set of characteristics of an engagement by executing a
convolutional neural network model on a set of image data
describing the engagement. Module 310 also augments the set of
characteristics of an already-known engagement using input from a
human expert, provided in structured or unstructured form.
[0092] Future engagement predictor 330 uses data describing one or
more engagements to extrapolate additional future engagements that
may not yet have been proposed, entered into an engagement
management system as proposed future engagements, or otherwise
explicitly documented, then analyzes data of the extrapolated
future engagements in a manner described herein. One implementation
of predictor 330 analyzes data of past and ongoing engagements to
determine a cyclical engagement pattern. Another implementation of
predictor 330 analyzes data of other engagements of other providers
offering similar services in the same or similar industry sectors.
Another implementation of predictor 330 analyzes data of
speculative future engagements that may or may not become proposed
to a customer or entered into an engagement management system as
proposed future engagements.
[0093] Engagement clustering module 340 determines that a future
engagement is above a threshold similarity with one or more
already-known engagements. To determine similarity, module 340
performs a clustering technique, such as the K-Nearest Neighbors
algorithm, to group sets of characteristics of already-known
engagements and the set of characteristics of the future
engagement. In particular, module 340 plots a data point for a
future engagement onto an approximation graph based upon the
engagement's classification and regression predictors determined in
a manner described herein. Module 340 also plots data points for
already-known engagements onto the graph. Module 340 computes a
distance between the data point for the future engagement and data
points for already-known engagements, and selects a set of
already-known engagements with data points that are closest to the
data point of the future engagement. When using the K-Nearest
Neighbors algorithm, module 340 selects a predefined number (K) of
nearest data points. Another implementation of module 340 performs
nearest data point plotting and selection multiple times, with
different values of K, stopping when results for each performance
are within a threshold level of consistency with each other.
Another implementation of module 340 selects a set of nearest data
points based on relative distances between data points, or using
another technique. As a result, engagements corresponding to the
set of nearest data points have above a threshold similarity with
the future engagement.
[0094] Skill forecasting module 350 uses one or more skillsets
utilized, and the level of expertise exhibited, during one or more
of the most similar already-known engagements to forecast a
required skillset of the future engagement. In particular, because
engagements corresponding to the set of nearest data points have
above a threshold similarity with the future engagement, skillsets
determined for the already-known engagements will also have above a
threshold similarity with skillsets required in the future
engagement.
[0095] Skill characteristics generator 320 receives data describing
one or more skillsets of workers who are candidates for working on
a future engagement. In one implementation of module 320, the data
includes descriptions of skillsets, or relationships of skills to
each other, that is not necessarily specific to a particular
worker. Module 320 executes a natural language processing model on
natural language text describing the skillsets, generating a set of
characteristics of the skillset. Module 320 augments the set of
characteristics of a skillset by executing a convolutional neural
network model on a set of image data describing the skillset.
Module 320 also augments the set of characteristics of a skillset
using input from a human expert. In one implementation of module
320, expert input is provided in a structured form.
[0096] Learning path generator 360 uses a required skillset of a
future engagement and the set of characteristics of the currently
available skillset to generate a learning path describing a set of
steps required to transform the current skillset to the required
skillset. For some team members, the learning path can include
upskilling. For other team members, the learning path can include
reskilling.
[0097] With reference to FIG. 4, this figure depicts a block
diagram of an example configuration for natural language document
based skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment. FIG. 4 depicts more detail of engagement
characteristics generator 310 in FIG. 3.
[0098] Natural language processing module 410 executes a natural
language processing model on natural language text describing an
already-known or future engagement, generating a set of
characteristics of the engagement and including the skillsets
utilized, and the level of expertise exhibited, during an
engagement. The natural language processing model uses a
presently-available technique to analyze natural language text. The
set of characteristics includes a set of pre-defined predictors, or
elements of interest. Predictors are stored in a matrix, in which
rows represent particular characteristics and columns represent a
value for a particular characteristic associated with a particular
engagement. Some predictors are classification predictors, and some
predictors are regression predictors.
[0099] Convolutional neural network module 420 augments the set of
characteristics of an engagement by executing a convolutional
neural network model on a set of image data describing the
engagement. The convolutional neural network model uses a
presently-available technique to analyze images and the image
portions of documents.
[0100] With reference to FIG. 5, this figure depicts a block
diagram of an example configuration for natural language document
based skill requirement forecasting in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment. FIG. 5 depicts more detail of skill
characteristics generator 320 in FIG. 3.
[0101] Natural language processing module 510 executes a natural
language processing model on natural language text describing
skillsets, generating a set of characteristics of a skillset. The
natural language processing model uses a presently-available
technique to analyze natural language text, and may be the same or
different from the model used to analyze engagement data. The set
of characteristics includes a set of pre-defined predictors that
are stored in a matrix in a manner described herein.
[0102] Convolutional neural network module 520 augments the set of
characteristics of a skillset by executing a convolutional neural
network model on a set of image data describing the skillset. The
convolutional neural network model uses a presently-available
technique to analyze images and the image portions of documents,
and may be the same or different from the model used to analyze
engagement data.
[0103] With reference to FIG. 6, this figure depicts an example of
natural language document based skill requirement forecasting in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The example can be
executed using application 300 in FIG. 3. Engagement
characteristics generator 310 is the same as engagement
characteristics generator 310 in FIG. 3.
[0104] As depicted, engagement characteristics generator 310
receives data describing one or more engagements. Engagement
document 610 is an example of engagement data in unstructured
natural language text form, and provides a brief description of a
project, Project A, and resources needed in performing the project.
Engagement image 620 is an example of engagement data in image
form, and provides a diagram of elements of Project A. Document 610
and image 620 are only two examples of engagement data, and in
practice module 310 would likely receive much more engagement data
to analyze.
[0105] Module 310 analyzes document 610 and image 620, as well as
other data that is not depicted, and generates engagement
predictors 630, a set of characteristics of the engagement and the
skillsets utilized during the engagement. Predictors with a value
of 1, on a 0-1 scale, reference skills that are definitely required
to complete Project A. For example, because document 610 references
a firmware implementation, the firmware skill has a value of 1.
Predictors with a value of 0 reference skills that are definitely
not required to complete Project A. For example, because document
610 references a firmware implementation, and application 300 has
determined from other data that telemarketing skill is not required
in a firmware implementation, the telemarketing skill has a value
of 0. Predictors with a value between 0 and 1 reference skills that
have some relationship to completing Project A. For example,
because document 610 references developing in C, a programming
language, predictors referencing skill in programming in Java and
Python, programming languages with some similar features as C, have
values of 0.8 and 0.6 according to their similarity to programming
in C. (Python is a registered trademark of the Python Software
Foundation in the United States and other countries. Java is a
registered trademark of Oracle in the United States and other
countries.) The examples given are only examples, and not meant to
imply any actual assessment of degrees of similarity of various
programming languages for particular purposes.
[0106] With reference to FIG. 7, this figure depicts an example of
natural language document based skill requirement forecasting in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The example can be
executed using application 300 in FIG. 3. Skill characteristics
generator 320 is the same as engagement characteristics generator
320 in FIG. 3.
[0107] As depicted, skill characteristics generator 320 receives
data describing one or more skills of a team member, Alice Smith.
Skill document 710 is an example of skill data in unstructured
natural language text form, and provides a brief excerpt from Alice
Smith's resume, describing her experience and skills. Engagement
image 720 is an example of skill data in image form, and provides
some symbols representing Alice Smith's skills. Document 710 and
image 720 are only two examples of skill data, and are not intended
to imply any particular level of experience or skills required to
complete any particular project.
[0108] Module 320 analyzes document 710 and image 720, as well as
other data that is not depicted, and generates skill predictors
730, a set of characteristics of Alice Smith's skillset. Predictors
with a value of 1, on a 0-1 scale, reference skills she definitely
possesses. For example, because document 710 references firmware
development experience, the firmware skill has a value of 1.
Predictors with a value of 0 reference skills she is not known to
possess. For example, because document 710 references firmware
development experience, and application 300 has determined from
other data that telemarketing skill is not required in firmware
development, the telemarketing skill has a value of 0. Predictors
with a value between 0 and 1 reference skills that have some
relationship to skills Alice Smith has. For example, because
document 710 references developing in C, predictors referencing
skill in programming in Java and Python, have values of 0.8 and 0.6
according to their similarity to programming in C.
[0109] With reference to FIG. 8, this figure depicts an example of
natural language document based skill requirement forecasting in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The example can be
executed using application 300 in FIG. 3. Future engagement
predictor 330 is the same as future engagement predictor 330 in
FIG. 3.
[0110] As depicted, application 300 has already generated predictor
sets for known upcoming engagements 810, using data describing one
or more future engagements in a manner described herein. Future
engagement predictor 330 analyzes data set 820, past engagement
data for pattern analysis, to determine a cyclical engagement
pattern. Module 330 analyzes data set 830, data of other
engagements of other providers offering similar services in the
same or similar industry sectors. Module 330 also analyzes data set
840, lower odds engagement data, which is data of speculative
future engagements that may or may not become proposed to a
customer or entered into an engagement management system as
proposed future engagements. Module 330 adds the analysis results
to predictor set 810, resulting in predictor sets for upcoming
engagements 850.
[0111] With reference to FIG. 9, this figure depicts an example of
natural language document based skill requirement forecasting in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The example can be
executed using application 300 in FIG. 3.
[0112] In particular, FIG. 9 depicts determining that a future
engagement is above a threshold similarity with one or more
already-known engagements, using a clustering technique to group
sets of characteristics of already-known engagements and the set of
characteristics of the future engagement. In particular,
application 300 plots a data point representing future engagement
910 onto an approximation graph based upon the engagement's
classification and regression predictors determined in a manner
described herein. The closer two points are within the graph, the
more similar two corresponding engagements are. Thus, application
300 also plots data points representing known engagements 920, 922,
924, 926, 928, and 930 onto the graph. Application 300 computes a
distance between the data point representing future engagement 910
and the data points representing known engagements 920, 922, 924,
926, 928, and 930. Because the data points representing engagements
920 and 922 are within nearest neighbor boundary 940, application
300 selects engagements 920 and 922 as engagements most similar to
future engagement 910.
[0113] With reference to FIG. 10, this figure depicts a continued
example of natural language document based skill requirement
forecasting in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Skill
forecasting module 350 is the same as skill forecasting module 350
in FIG. 3. Known engagements 920 and 922 and future engagement 910
are the same as known engagements 920 and 922 and future engagement
910 in FIG. 9.
[0114] As depicted, known engagement 920 includes skillset 1020,
used in performing engagement 920 and known engagement 922 includes
skillset 1022, used in performing skillset 1022. Because
engagements 920 and 922 have above a threshold similarity with
future engagement 910, skill forecasting module 350 uses skillsets
1020 and 1022 to forecast skillset 1010, a required skillset of
future engagement 910.
[0115] With reference to FIG. 11, this figure depicts a continued
example of natural language document based skill requirement
forecasting in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Learning
path generator 360 is the same as learning path generator 360 in
FIG. 3. Future engagement 910 and skillset 1010 are the same as
future engagement 910 and skillset 1010 in FIG. 10.
[0116] Learning path generator 360 uses required skillset 1010 of
future engagement 910 and predictor sets 1110, representing sets of
characteristics of currently available skillsets, to generate
learning recommendations 1120, suggesting learning paths including
upskilling and reskilling.
[0117] With reference to FIG. 12, this figure depicts a flowchart
of an example process for natural language document based skill
requirement forecasting in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment. Process 1200 can be implemented in application 300 in
FIG. 3.
[0118] In block 1202, the application executes a natural language
processing model on a set of natural language text describing a
first engagement to generate a set of characteristics, including a
skillset, of the first engagement. In block 1204, the application
executes the natural language processing model on a set of natural
language text describing a future engagement to generate a set of
characteristics of the future engagement. In block 1206, the
application uses a clustering technique on the set of
characteristics of the first engagement and the set of
characteristics of the future engagement to determine, that the
first engagement is above a threshold similarity with the future
engagement. In block 1208, the application uses the skillset used
in performing the first engagement to forecast a required skillset
of the future engagement. In block 1210, the application executes
the natural language processing model on a set of natural language
text describing a current skillset to generate a set of
characteristics of the current skillset. In block 1212, the
application uses the required skillset of the future engagement and
the set of characteristics of the current skillset to generate a
learning path describing a set of steps required to transform the
current skillset to the required skillset. Then the application
ends.
[0119] Referring now to FIG. 13, illustrative cloud computing
environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment
50 includes one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local
computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example,
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop
computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or automobile computer
system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one
another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually,
in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.
This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,
platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer
does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It
is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in
FIG. 12 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing
nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with
any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or
network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
[0120] Referring now to FIG. 14, a set of functional abstraction
layers provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 13) is
shown. It should be understood in advance that the components,
layers, and functions shown in FIG. 13 are intended to be
illustrative only and embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto. As depicted, the following layers and corresponding
functions are provided:
[0121] Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and
software components. Examples of hardware components include:
mainframes 61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture
based servers 62; servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65;
and networks and networking components 66. In some embodiments,
software components include network application server software 67
and database software 68.
[0122] Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from
which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided:
virtual servers 71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73,
including virtual private networks; virtual applications and
operating systems 74; and virtual clients 75.
[0123] In one example, management layer 80 may provide the
functions described below. Resource provisioning 81 provides
dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that
are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing
environment. Metering and Pricing 82 provide cost tracking as
resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and
billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one
example, these resources may include application software licenses.
Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and
tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User
portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment for
consumers and system administrators. Service level management 84
provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such
that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
planning and fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and
procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a future
requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.
[0124] Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for
which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of
workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer
include: mapping and navigation 91; software development and
lifecycle management 92; virtual classroom education delivery 93;
data analytics processing 94; transaction processing 95; and
application selection based on cumulative vulnerability risk
assessment 96.
[0125] Thus, a computer implemented method, system or apparatus,
and computer program product are provided in the illustrative
embodiments for natural language document based skill requirement
forecasting and other related features, functions, or operations.
Where an embodiment or a portion thereof is described with respect
to a type of device, the computer implemented method, system or
apparatus, the computer program product, or a portion thereof, are
adapted or configured for use with a suitable and comparable
manifestation of that type of device.
[0126] Where an embodiment is described as implemented in an
application, the delivery of the application in a Software as a
Service (SaaS) model is contemplated within the scope of the
illustrative embodiments. In a SaaS model, the capability of the
application implementing an embodiment is provided to a user by
executing the application in a cloud infrastructure. The user can
access the application using a variety of client devices through a
thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based
e-mail), or other light-weight client-applications. The user does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
the network, servers, operating systems, or the storage of the
cloud infrastructure. In some cases, the user may not even manage
or control the capabilities of the SaaS application. In some other
cases, the SaaS implementation of the application may permit a
possible exception of limited user-specific application
configuration settings.
[0127] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product at any possible technical detail level of
integration. The computer program product may include a computer
readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program
instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects
of the present invention.
[0128] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0129] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0130] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated
circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the
like, and procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The computer
readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote
computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the
latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,
electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic
circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable
logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program
instructions by utilizing state information of the computer
readable program instructions to personalize the electronic
circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present
invention.
[0131] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0132] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0133] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0134] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in
the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
* * * * *