Electronic communication management

Methods, systems, and computer program products for enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users include, for example, providing data regarding at least one project, and linking the data regarding the at least one project with the plurality of electronic communication systems regarding the plurality of electronic communications for the plurality of users.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic communication, and more particularly, to methods, computer program products, and systems for electronic communication management.

BACKGROUND

Email and instant messaging tools are commonly used in business communications. Conventional email and instant messaging systems provide a view of the communications by date, individual user name, user group etc. Each systems may allow a user may manually create folders/tags for categorizing electronic communications.

SUMMARY

Shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision, in one embodiment, of a method for enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users. The method includes, for example, providing, by one or more processor, data regarding at least one project, and linking, by the one or more processor, the data regarding the at least one project with the plurality of electronic communication systems regarding the plurality of electronic communications for the plurality of users.

In another embodiment, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes: a computer readable storage medium readable by one or more processing unit and storing instructions for execution by the one or more processing unit for performing a method for enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users which includes, for example, providing data regarding at least one project, and linking the data regarding the at least one project with the plurality of electronic communication systems regarding the plurality of electronic communications for the plurality of users.

In a further embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes: a memory; and one or more processor in communication with the memory, where the system is configured to perform a method for enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users which includes, for example, providing data regarding at least one project, and linking the data regarding the at least one project with the plurality of electronic communication systems regarding the plurality of electronic communications for the plurality of users.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques set forth herein. Other embodiments are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to electronic communication management with various technical advantages including, for example, enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users. For example, the electronic communication management may be operable to set up data, which data is linked to a plurality of electronic communication systems regarding a plurality of electronic communications for a plurality of users. The data may be organizational data such as based on one or more project documents such as one or more project charters containing project roles and responsibility, contact information of the project members, contact information for stakeholders, etc. For example, the present technique may provide a centralized management of project data for a plurality of different electronic mail systems, a plurality of different instant messaging systems, other electronic communication systems, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, updated project data may be synchronized in real-time with the plurality of electronic communication systems regarding the plurality of electronic communications for a plurality of users. Implementing the technique of the present invention may enhance the performance of electronic communication systems, thereby increasing the efficiency of the electronic communication systems as a whole for use by users.

FIGS. 1-4depict various embodiments of computing, including cloud computing, in accordance with one or more embodiments set forth herein.

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows:

FIG. 4depicts a hardware overview of a computing node10, which may be a cloud computing node, in accordance with one or more embodiments set forth herein. The computing node as set forth inFIG. 4can include the hardware components as set forth in reference to computing node10as set forth in reference toFIG. 1. By way of example, computing node10may generally be any of the computing devices described herein, such as network devices, client computers, server computers, etc.

Program/utility40as set forth inFIG. 1can provide the functionality of electronic communication management96as set forth inFIG. 3. Program/utility40as set forth inFIG. 1can include one or more program440as set forth inFIG. 4.

One or more program440can have a set (at least one) of program modules, and may be stored in memory28by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, program data, and one or more program, or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. One or more program440generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein, such as electronic communication management96(FIG. 3).

FIG. 5is an exemplary block diagram of a system100, in accordance with one or more embodiments set forth herein. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, system100includes numerous devices, which may be or include computing nodes10as previously described, connected by a network150. For example, network150may be a physical network or a virtual network. A physical network can be, for example, a physical telecommunications network connecting numerous computer nodes or systems, such as computer servers and computer clients. By contrast a virtual network can, for example, combine numerous physical networks or parts thereof into a logical virtual network. In another example, numerous virtual networks can be defined over a single physical network.

By way of explanation,FIG. 5depicts an example environment in which system100for electronic communication management may include one or more electronic communication manager110and one or more project information database120, which may be in communication with one or more electronic communication systems such as one or more electronic mail system140, one or more instant messaging system160, one or more other electronic communication system, and combinations thereof. The electronic communication manager110shown as being in communication via network150can alternatively be co-located at project information database120. In other embodiments, electronic communication manager110and/or project information database120may be incorporated into one or more electronic communication system such as implemented as an enhancement in a contacts management module of email message systems and/or instant messaging systems.

FIG. 6illustrates a process for use in electronic communication management for enhancing a plurality of electronic communication systems for a plurality of users in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. By way of example, the processes described with respect toFIG. 6can be performed using one or more program440(FIG. 4) on one or more project based electronic communication manager110(FIG. 5), as detailed with respect toFIG. 4.

For example, one or more program440may include at210, providing data regarding at least one project, and at220linking the data regarding the at least one project with a plurality of electronic communication systems regarding a plurality of electronic communications for a plurality of users.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of an embodiment of system100for use in electronic communication management in accordance with one or more embodiments set forth herein. In this example, system100may be employed in combination with a plurality of different electronic communication systems (e.g., one or more electronic mail system140and one or more instant messaging systems160as shown inFIG. 5).

As shown inFIG. 7, in one embodiment, system100may include electronic communication manager110(which may correspond to project based electronic communication manager110inFIG. 5). Electronic communication manager110may generally manage one or more organization or project hierarchy and associated linkage between project roles, personnel, and contacts used in the system which may be stored in project information database120(e.g., which may correspond to project information database120inFIG. 5).

Information regarding the project may be managed via electronic communication manager110employing text based or graphical user interface (GUI) tools for input by a user based on project charters, project definitions, or project statements. In another embodiment, information regarding the project may be imported or uploaded directly from project charters, project definitions, or project statements. For example, project charters, project definitions, or project statements may generally define a statement of the scope, objectives, and participants in a project along with delineations of roles, contacts, and responsibilities, outlines of the project objectives, identification of the main stakeholders (e.g., such as creditors, directors, government (and its agencies), owners (shareholders), suppliers, unions, and the community from which the business draws its resources, etc.), and defines the authority of the project manager.

Project information database120may include a project profile122, an individual user profile124, a contact list126, and a categorizer128. Project profile122may identify a plurality of different projects, such as ProjectA to ProjectN, each having a plurality of roles. The project profiles may include current profiles as well as project profiles indicating historical changes over time. Project information database120may include individual user profiles124of the personnel corresponding to the plurality of roles. The user profiles of the personnel corresponding to the plurality of roles may include current user profiles as well as user profiles indicating historical changes over time. Contact list126may include contact information such as electronic addresses for personnel for effecting electronic communication such as email messages and instant messaging. Contact list126may be updated in response to changes in a project charter managed by project manager110. Electronic communication categorizer128may be employed to categorize electronic communications based on project information. For example, electronic communication categorizer128may set up folders or tags for projects and sub teams that are associated with or linkable to specific electronic communications.

Electronic communication manager110may be linked with, e.g., a plurality of electronic communication editors such as an electronic mail editor115and an instant messaging editor117, a plurality of electronic communication programs or systems such as electronic mail system140(FIG. 5) and instant messaging system160(FIG. 5).

With reference still toFIG. 7, embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as follows. Project information or data such as a project charter data may be managed by project based electronic manager110, then uploaded to project information database120. In project information database120, the associations or linkages between the roles in each project and individuals may then established or maintained. Similarly, the project information data may be implemented for stakeholders. For example, project profiles may include stakeholders, which stakeholders are associated or linked to individual user profiles, corresponding contacts and categorized history.

With regard to instant messaging, for example, in response to a chat window being opened by a user in an instant messaging program or system, the instant messaging system may communicate with instant messaging editor117and obtain current project metadata and role information (e.g., from project profile122and project personnel124), current associated contact identification (e.g., from contact list126), and chat history (e.g., from categorizer128). After receiving this information, instant messaging system may display role information in a chat window, as well as chat history for the role in the current project, for the user.

With regard to email messages, in response to a user sending or viewing email messages, an email program or system may communicate with email editor115and obtain project role information (e.g., from project profile122and project personnel124), current associated contact identification (e.g., from contact list126), and email history (e.g., from categorizer128) based on the email message created or received. The retrieved information or data may then be displayed in the user's email message.

In addition to email or instant message programs or systems retrieving contact lists, the project information data regarding the project profile may also be retrieved for the contacts. Then based on project identification and role, the contact list can provide project hierarchy for display and viewing used by end users. In response to an email message arriving at a server, mail categorizer128may be triggered. Mail categorizer128will firstly obtain project information of the sender and the receiver. Since most senders/receivers will belong to a certain project, the email message will be categorized to or be related to that project. A configurable threshold can be utilized for this categorization. For example, if the ratio of the count of senders/receivers belonging to ProjectA to the total sender/receiver count is greater than a threshold, then the email is marked as related to ProjectA.

In another embodiment, email or instant message programs or systems may be sent via instant messaging editor117and via email editor115data contained in project information data base (e.g., mirror database) periodically, or automatically in response to updating of the project information database. Then, the email or instant message programs or systems may employ the project information data in connection with instant chat and email as noted above.

With reference now toFIG. 8, in response to a user receiving an email message300, the user is able to see the project role information302,304,306, and308of each individual listed in the “To:” and “From” fields. As shown inFIG. 9, a portion of a displayed inbox of a home page350of an electronic message system may include views360which may include “By Project”370for viewing a list380of projects. For example, in response to a new email message arriving, by default, the system may determine which project the electronic communication belongs to, and then take action to categorize it accordingly.

FIG. 10illustrates a contact list400of an instant messaging system when a project document, e.g. for ProjectA, is employed or imported to a contact list. The members of this project may be listed and shown as their project roles, so that an end user need not know which individual each role is linked to until he/she opens a chat window410as shown inFIG. 11. At one point in time, opening a chat window with a “Business Analyst” for ProjectA may list “Mary White”, a staff software engineer. At a later time and based on project information updates, should a member leave the project, the system provides for updating the member with a new member. For example, a change in the Business Analyst of ProjectA at a later time will result upon opening a chat window420, as shown inFIG. 12, with the “Business Analyst” for ProjectA now listing the new member “Gary Smith” an advisory software engineer.

Because communication history is stored and categorized based on the project roles, as described above, instead of individuals, a user may easy obtain all the previous chat or emails between him/her and the “role”, for example, ProjectA Business Analysts, for display in a communication history430as shown inFIG. 13, and which may be used by the user as a reference to track issues. In addition, the related content in the communication history can also be obtained or fetched on-demand based on, for example, a keyword search, when an end user is trying to follow up some previous topic with the individual for some role.FIG. 14illustrates a screen display440listing search results or chat history450, and allowing review of a selected listed chat460by the user.

During an ongoing electronic communication, the system may provide, such as an instant messaging chat, access to a listing and retrieval of prior electronic communications. For example, during real-time communication, a reference list of prior electronic communications may pop up or be selectable for display, wherein a user may choose to view the prior electronic communications (such as both emails and instant messaging) related to the participants, the topic of the current ongoing electronic communication, based on search terms or key words entered by the user during the current ongoing electronic communication, etc.

From the present description, it will be appreciated that the present technique may allow participants to communicate with other members having different roles on different projects even when working on many different projects in parallel. The present disclosure may allow for maintaining and categorizing role based project communication information for real-time reference including different electronic communications such as email and instant messaging threads and historical information. The present disclosure may provide a centralized management of project related information for electronic mail and instant messaging systems, whereby users need not separately set up management of electronic communication based on projects in multiple electronic communication systems. The present disclosure may manage and provide a visualization to electronic communications at a project level, and may include access to communication history both for email messaging and instant messaging. The present technique may improve existing electronic email systems, instant messaging systems, and other electronic communication systems, without impacting current usage of such systems.

As will also be appreciated from the description above, providing a centralized management of electronic communication systems based on project data such as a project hierarchy or tree may aid in electronic communications across a plurality of users. Such a system may provide electronic communications in connection with one or more projects with identification of correct and current roles of personnel or stakeholders in the one or more projects. As noted above, in response to a user sending an email message, one can select the designated personnel or stakeholder based on a project role or roles through a project hierarchy instead of selecting specific individual, individuals, or groups from one's own contact list. In response to a user viewing an email message or an instant message chat with project members, one may not only see the name of the person or mail address, but also the project and/or person's project role. If a person assigned to the role changes over time, project role information may be updated automatically to reflect current roles and assigned personnel or stakeholder. The system may categorize a plurality of electronic communications based on project data. For example, in response to a user receiving an email message or finishing a chat session with a member, the system may automatically determine which project the electronic communication belongs to, then take action to assign and/or historically categorize the electronic communication accordingly. It will be appreciated that the historical categorization may also be customized by users as well.

The technique of the present disclosure may result in a dynamic collection and real time organization or mapping of project structure information to allow for real-time electronic communication enhancement. The ability of synchronizing in real-time updated project information data with different tools may provide enhanced communication mechanisms, contact list management with up-to-date project information, and email and instant messaging enhancement by showing role of sender/receivers, group by project roles etc.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description set forth herein has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the present disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure as described herein for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.