Dynamic Task Scheduling for the Knowledge Worker System

摘要

The Knowledge Worker Systems (KWS) is a performance support environment forworkgroups. It is an automated tool that enables a workgroup to define the tasks, information resources, institutional knowledge and computer applications required to perform their business processes. Using this on-line model of the business process, KWS reminds workers when tasks are due, details steps for task execution, provides easy automated access to documents, and links to existing automation systems. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories has been conducting ongoing research into the problem of dynamic scheduling of processes and tasks for knowledge workers, with the ultimate goal of developing a comprehensive support environment for knowledge workers. KWS is a performance support environment designed to help knowledge workers organize and coordinate their work by providing an on-line model of the business process coupled with institutional knowledge and software agents. KWS tracks scheduled events, provides a list of completed events, and outlines the steps necessary to complete forthcoming tasks. This study examined the requirements for scheduling processes and tasks in a knowledge worker environment. Dynamic scheduling enhancements are identified for future versions of KWS.