Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for managing group members. A computer identifies a collaboration activity that corresponds to a defined group, wherein the defined group includes one or more individuals, and the collaboration activity is comprised of the defined group and one or more additional individuals. The computer determines participation and contribution information that correspond to the one or more individuals of the defined group and the one or more additional individuals included in the identified collaboration activity. The computer determines relevant individuals from the identified collaboration activity by utilizing determined participation and contribution information. In response to determining the relevant individuals, the computer determines an updated group wherein the updated group includes determined relevant individuals.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of collaborative group communications, and more particularly to adjusting the individuals in a group corresponding to relevancy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Collaborative computing allows a multitude of individuals to interact with each other through utilizing desktop computers, laptops, mobile devices, or other types of computing systems in a collaboration session. Some examples of collaboration sessions can include instant messaging conversations, teleconferences, electronic meetings, or other forms of collaboration of individuals in a group. The ability to share, modify and collaboratively create data through collaborative computing can enhance production and the overall quality of a product. These collaboration sessions can range from scheduled meetings including individuals from a common subject area, to unscheduled meetings including individuals from many different subject areas. In some examples, collaboration sessions can be derived in a non-deterministic manner (i.e. starting with a group of 5 individuals and then adding an additional 3 individuals over time). The ability to establish relevant and important individuals in these collaboration sessions can be of great benefit to the situation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for managing group members. A computer identifies a collaboration activity that corresponds to a defined group, wherein the defined group includes one or more individuals, and the collaboration activity is comprised of the defined group and one or more additional individuals. The computer determines participation and contribution information that correspond to the one or more individuals of the defined group and the one or more additional individuals included in the identified collaboration activity. The computer determines relevant individuals from the identified collaboration activity by utilizing determined participation and contribution information. In response to determining the relevant individuals, the computer determines an updated group wherein the updated group includes determined relevant individuals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a data processing environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a program for managing individuals in a group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of components of the computing system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention recognize that situations often arise where a group of individuals gather in a collaboration session to discuss or make progress on a topic. In such situations, the group can be derived from an array of different divisions within a company or even from different companies, and receive a task that focuses on a specific subject area. Also, these groups can be derived through deterministic, or in a non-deterministic manner, and can be comprised of any number of individuals. An exemplary collaboration session can be a meeting in which 200 individuals are invited to attend. Embodiments of the present invention recognize that in many circumstances corresponding to such an example, not all of the invited individuals are going to be directly involved in providing a solution to a task addressed in the meeting. An ability to establish a group of individuals that are relevant to the task at hand can be valuable when developing a solution. 
         [0008]    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable medium(s) having computer readable program code/instructions embodied thereon. 
         [0009]    Any combination of computer-readable media may be utilized. Computer-readable media may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, 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), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0010]    A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0011]    Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
         [0012]    Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java®, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;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&#39;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). 
         [0013]    Aspects of the present invention are described below 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 program instructions. These computer 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. 
         [0014]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0015]    The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0016]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures.  FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating data processing environment  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Data processing environment  100  includes client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , network  108 , and server  110 . In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, client devices  102 ,  104  and  106  may be workstations, personal computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, or any other devices capable of executing program instructions. In general, client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  are representative of any electronic device or combination of electronic devices capable of executing machine-readable program instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 3 . In alternate embodiments, data processing environment  100  can include other instances of client devices  102 ,  104  and  106  (i.e. can have more or less). In an exemplary embodiment, individuals utilizing client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  can access server  110  through network  108 . 
         [0018]    Client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  include system software  112 , user interface  114 , and collaboration software  116 . In one embodiment, each instance of client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  includes iterations of the same system software  112 , user interface  114 , and collaboration software  116 . In one embodiment, system software  112  may exist in the form of operating system software, which may be Windows®, LINUX®, and other application software such as internet applications and web browsers. User interface  114  allows for input into client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 . In exemplary embodiments, user interface  114  allows individuals utilizing client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  to define and establish groups of individuals (discussed in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  utilize collaboration software  116  to communicate with elements of data processing environment  100  in collaboration sessions. Some examples of collaboration sessions can include instant messaging conversations, teleconferences, electronic meetings, or other forms of electronic collaboration between client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 . In an example, client device  102  utilizes collaboration software  116  to set up a meeting with client devices  104  and  106 , which client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  utilize respective instances of collaboration software  116  to access the meeting through network  108 . In another embodiment, collaboration software  116  can be utilized to send information regarding collaboration sessions to elements of data processing environment  100 . 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, elements of data processing environment  100  communicate through network  108 . Network  108  can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a telecommunications network, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the three, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network  108  can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and server  110  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, server  110  can be desktop computers, specialized computer servers, or any other computer systems known in the art. In certain embodiments, server  110  represents a computer system utilizing clustered computers and components (e.g., database server computers, application server computers, etc.) that act as a single pool of seamless resources when accessed by elements of data processing environment  100 . In general, server  110  is representative of any electronic device or combination of electronic devices capable of executing machine-readable program instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 3 . Server  110  facilitates collaboration sessions between client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and stores corresponding information. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, server  110  includes storage device  118  and group adjustment program  200 . Storage device  118  can be implemented with any type of database storage that is capable of storing data that may be accessed and utilized by client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and server  110 , such as a database server, a hard disk drive, or flash memory. In other embodiments, storage device  118  can represent multiple storage devices within server  110 . In exemplary embodiments, storage device  118  stores information corresponding to collaboration sessions between client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 . Information that storage device  118  stores can include, but is not limited to: defined groups of individuals, and information corresponding to the participation and contributions of individuals (discussed in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 2 ). In exemplary embodiments, group adjustment program  200  manages a defined group responsive to participation and contributions of individuals in the group. In one embodiment, group adjustment program  200  utilizes information in storage device  118  to determine which individuals belong in a relevant group. Group adjustment program  200  is discussed in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting operational steps of group adjustment program  200  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, individuals utilizing client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  can initiate group adjustment program  200  from within a collaboration session utilizing collaboration software  116 . 
         [0023]    In step  202 , group adjustment program  200  receives a definition of a relevant group. In one embodiment, the defined group is a subset of a larger group. In an example, group adjustment program  200  can define a relevant group (a subset) of a larger group, wherein the relevant group is comprised of individuals utilizing client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 . In one embodiment, during a collaboration session, group adjustment program  200  can define the relevant group through input into user interface  114  of client devices  102 ,  104 , or  106 . In a first example, an individual utilizing client device  102  schedules a meeting (i.e. an electronic meeting, an instant messaging chat) that includes 25 individuals that are meeting to discuss the solution to an issue. In this example, during the meeting, the individual utilizing client device  102  defines a relevant group including an individual utilizing client device  104 , an individual utilizing client device  106 , and two other individuals in the meeting that are going to work toward the solution of the issue. In the first example, the individual utilizing client device  102  can utilize collaboration software  116  to indicate which individuals are to be included in the relevant group. In a second example, over the course of multiple collaboration sessions relating to a certain issue or problem, an individual utilizing client device  102  (being the leader of the collaboration sessions) determines a relevant group including an individual utilizing client device  104 , and four other individuals. In this example, the invitations for the collaboration sessions may have included 50 individuals, with 35 individuals attending a first meeting, and 30 individuals attending a second meeting. In the second example, some individuals that did not attend the first meeting attend the second meeting, and some individuals that did attend the first meeting did not attend the second meeting. From the attendance and contributions of these meetings, the individual utilizing client device  102  is able to determine a relevant group for solving the issue. In each of these examples, group adjustment program  200  receives the definition of the relevant group from the individual utilizing client device  102  through collaboration software  116 . In another embodiment with regard to the second example, group adjustment program  200  determines relevant individuals responsive to participation and contributions of individuals in the previous collaboration sessions. In exemplary embodiments, upon defining a relevant group, the individuals utilizing client device  102 ,  104  or  106  assigns a name to the relevant group. The naming of the relevant group allows the defined relevant group to be involved in future collaboration communications that relate to the problem or issue that correlates with the group. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual utilizing client device  102 ,  104  or  106  can utilize the determined relevant group when establishing future collaboration activities. 
         [0024]    In step  204 , group adjustment program  200  identifies a collaboration activity corresponding to the relevant group. In one embodiment, group adjustment program  200  utilizes information stored within storage device  118  to identify completed collaboration activities that correspond to a certain relevant group. In exemplary embodiments, the completed collaboration activity identified by group adjustment program  200  can include instant messaging chats, and meetings that correspond to the assigned name of the relevant group. In exemplary embodiments, identified collaboration activities including a relevant group are not limited to only including the relevant group, and can include other individuals. 
         [0025]    In step  206 , group adjustment program  200  determines participation and contribution information corresponding to individuals included in the identified collaboration activity. In exemplary embodiments, group adjustment program  200  utilizes information corresponding to completed collaboration sessions, stored in storage device  118 , that correspond to the assigned name of the relevant group. In exemplary embodiments, the information corresponding to the completed collaboration sessions includes attendance logs for collaboration sessions, and indications of which individuals in a collaboration session provided contributions to the collaboration session. In one embodiment, for each subsequent meeting involving a relevant group, participation and collaboration is recorded and stored in storage device  118 . In exemplary embodiments, during a collaboration session, attendance is monitored, and individuals in the collaboration session providing contributions to the discussion can be identified (i.e. offered potential solutions, have a relevant background knowledge). In an example regarding an electronic meeting or teleconference, group adjustment program  200  tracks individuals that join the meeting or teleconference, and stores the information related to the attendance of the individuals in storage device  118 . In another example regarding an instant messaging chat or email thread, group adjustment program  200  tracks individuals that read and respond to messages or emails and indicate which individuals did provide contributions (by reading or responding to messages or emails) in storage device  118 . In exemplary embodiments, group adjustment program  200  can access any type of activity corresponding to the participation and contribution of individuals. 
         [0026]    In step  208 , group adjustment program  200  determines relevant individuals from the identified collaboration activity corresponding to the determined participation and contribution information. In one embodiment, group adjustment program  200  includes defined parameters that indicate minimum participation and contribution requirements that individuals are to maintain for membership in relevant group. In some examples, defined parameters can include individuals attending at least 75% of collaboration sessions (participation threshold), and individuals contributing to at least 50% of collaboration sessions (contribution threshold). In an exemplary embodiment, group adjustment program  200  utilizes the determined participation and contribution information corresponding to the identified collaboration session (from step  206 ) to determine whether individuals included in the collaboration session meet the thresholds of the parameters, and can be considered “relevant”. In other embodiments, the individual that established the relevant group can adjust the thresholds of defined parameters. In an example, a previously defined participation threshold set at 75% can be reduced to 50% (the relevant group can be considered to be too large). In such an example, group adjustment program  200  can adjust the relevant group responsive to the reduced participation threshold (group adjustment discussed in greater detail with regard to step  210 ). In an example with regard to the first example previously discussed, group adjustment program  200  utilizes participation and contribution information corresponding to the identified collaboration activity to determine that the individual utilizing client device  104  no longer meets the threshold to be a relevant individual. In this example, group adjustment program  200  no longer includes the individual utilizing client device  104  in the classification of relevant individuals. In another example with regard to the second example previously discussed, group adjustment program  200  utilizes participation and contribution information corresponding to the identified collaboration activity to determine that an individual utilizing client device  106  now meets the threshold to be a relevant individual. In this example, group adjustment program  200  determines that the individual utilizing client device  106  is a relevant individual. 
         [0027]    In step  210 , group adjustment program  200  adjusts the relevant group responsive to determined relevant individuals. In one embodiment, group adjustment program  200  adds or removes individuals from the relevant group, responsive to whether or not an individual is determined to be a relevant individual (determined in step  208 ). With regard to the first example, group adjustment program  200  determines that the individual utilizing client device  104  is not a relevant individual (step  208 ). In this example, group adjustment program  200  removes the individual utilizing client device  104  from the relevant group. Therefore, future invitations for collaboration sessions corresponding to the relevant group will not automatically include the individual utilizing client device  104 . With regard to the second example, group adjustment program  200  determines that the individual utilizing client device  106  is a relevant individual. In this example, group adjustment program  200  adds the individual utilizing client device  106  to the relevant group. Therefore, future invitations for collaboration sessions corresponding to the relevant group will automatically include the individual utilizing client device  106 . In exemplary embodiments, when group adjustment program  200  is adding or removing one or more individuals from the relevant group, group adjustment program  200  prompts the individual that created the relevant group (i.e. individual utilizing client device  102 ) to determine whether or not to add or remove the one or more individuals from the relevant group. In another exemplary embodiment, when group adjustment program  200  is adding or removing one or more individuals from the relevant group, group adjustment program  200  adds or removes the one or more individuals and notifies the individual that created the relevant group (i.e. individual utilizing client device  102 ) of the action taken. In exemplary embodiments, the individual utilizing client device  102  (the individual that created the relevant group) can utilize group adjustment program  200  to add or remove individuals to the relevant group through a user interface (i.e. user interface  114  or a user interface associated with group adjustment program  200 ). In alternate embodiments, group adjustment program  200  repeats for all collaboration activities that correspond to a relevant group. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of components of computer  300 , which is representative of client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and server  110  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 3  provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made. 
         [0029]    Computer  300  includes communications fabric  302 , which provides communications between computer processor(s)  304 , memory  306 , persistent storage  308 , communications unit  310 , and input/output (I/O) interface(s)  312 . Communications fabric  302  can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric  302  can be implemented with one or more buses. 
         [0030]    Memory  306  and persistent storage  308  are computer-readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory  306  includes random access memory (RAM)  314  and cache memory  316 . In general, memory  306  can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media. Software and data  322  stored in persistent storage  308  for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processors  304  via one or more memories of memory  306 . With respect to client devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 , software and data  322  includes system software  112  and collaboration software  116 . With respect to server  110 , software and data  322  includes group adjustment program  200 . 
         [0031]    In this embodiment, persistent storage  308  includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage  308  can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. 
         [0032]    The media used by persistent storage  308  may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  308 . Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage  308 . 
         [0033]    Communications unit  310 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit  310  includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit  310  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Software and data  322  may be downloaded to persistent storage  308  through communications unit  310 . 
         [0034]    I/O interface(s)  312  allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer  300 . For example, I/O interface  312  may provide a connection to external devices  318  such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices  318  can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data  322  can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage  308  via I/O interface(s)  312 . I/O interface(s)  312  also connect to a display  320 . 
         [0035]    Display  320  provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. Display  320  can also function as a touch screen, such as a display of a tablet computer. 
         [0036]    The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature. 
         [0037]    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 code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block 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 combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.