Patent Publication Number: US-2015088567-A1

Title: Methods for building project teams and devices thereof

Description:
FIELD 
     This technology generally relates to methods and devices for matching candidates with employers and, more particularly, methods for building project teams and devices thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Increasingly, corporate and other projects require the collaboration of a number of members of a team which each have having different skills. When putting together these looking at potential candidates, they often may have one or more skills which overlap or are redundant. Such overlapping expertise may or may not be desirable depending on the parameters (e.g., budget, timeframe, and risk) associated with a project. Unfortunately, there is no convenient way currently to build, analyze, or compare project teams based on the skills associated with potential candidates. In particular, there is no way currently to analyze or compare the completeness of a team with respect to satisfaction of required skills and/or desired redundancy of required skills among team members or prospective team members in order to facilitate generation of an optimal team for a project. 
     Accordingly, some project teams may have members with undesired redundancy of required skills which could be more efficient. Other project teams may have members without the desired redundancy of required skills which could jeopardize timely completion of the project. Additionally, some teams are put together with members that do not collectively have the required skill(s) necessary to complete the project. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method for building project teams includes building, by a project team building device, a suggested team comprising members selected from a pool of possible candidates, wherein each of the members is associated with one or more of required skills associated with a project. A list of at least a subset of the possible candidates organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills associated with the project is provided by the project team building device. The team is modified by the project team building device based on a received input to add one or more of the possible candidates from the provided list to the team or to remove one or more members from the team. The providing and modifying are repeated by the project team building device wherein, when one or more members are removed from the team, the list does not include the one or more removed members and is organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills of the one or more removed members 
     A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for building project teams comprising machine executable code which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform steps including building a suggested team comprising members selected from a pool of possible candidates, wherein each of the members is associated with one or more of required skills associated with a project. A list of at least a subset of the possible candidates organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills associated with the project is provided. The team is modified based on a received input to add one or more of the possible candidates from the provided list to the team or to remove one or more members from the team. The providing and modifying are repeated wherein, when one or more members are removed from the team, the list does not include the one or more removed members and is organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills of the one or more removed members. 
     A project team building device includes a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including building a suggested team comprising members selected from a pool of possible candidates, wherein each of the members is associated with one or more of required skills associated with a project. A list of at least a subset of the possible candidates organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills associated with the project is provided. The team is modified based on a received input to add one or more of the possible candidates from the provided list to the team or to remove one or more members from the team. The providing and modifying are repeated wherein, when one or more members are removed from the team, the list does not include the one or more removed members and is organized at least in part based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills of the one or more removed members. 
     This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a project team building device that facilitates efficient building of project teams. With this technology, a web-based platform or dashboard is provided for users to input skills required for a project and for recruiters to build teams based on skills of candidates matching skills required for a project. The web-based platform facilitates analysis of the completeness and/or redundancy of skills of potential candidates for a project team, as well as enables a comparison of various project teams to allow a recruiter to customize an optimal team appropriate for the particular project. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment which incorporates candidate computing devices and a recruiter computing device coupled to an exemplary project team building device; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for building project teams; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are tables including exemplary portions of a hierarchical taxonomy that include a plurality of selectable skills required for a project; 
         FIG. 4  is a table including an exemplary plurality of required skills selected for a project; 
         FIG. 5  is a table including an exemplary plurality of skills associated with a candidate selected for a project team associated with a project; and 
         FIG. 6  is a table including an exemplary plurality of skills required for a project but unmet by a candidates selected for a project team associated with the project. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exemplary environment  10  with candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) and a recruiter computing device  14  coupled to a project team building device  16  by communication network(s)  18  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , although this environment  10  can include other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations. While not shown, the environment  10  also may include additional network components which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus will not be described here. This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a project team building device that facilitates efficient building of project teams. 
     The candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) in this example each include a central processing unit (CPU)  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ), a memory  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ), an input/output interface  24 ( 1 )- 24 ( n ), an input device  25 ( 1 )- 25 ( n ), and a display device  26 ( 1 )- 26 ( n ), which are coupled together by a bus  28 ( 1 )- 28 ( n ) or other link. The candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) can also have other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations and locations. Potential project team candidates can use the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) to submit associated skills to the project team building device  14 , as well as to exchange other information and/or perform other types and numbers of functions. 
     The CPU  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein. Other types and numbers of processing devices and configurable hardware logic could be used and the CPU  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
     The memory  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology, as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and/or executed elsewhere. The memory  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ) optionally stores programmed instructions for a Web browser for communicating with the input/output interface  24 ( 1 )- 24 ( n ) to operatively exchange content with the project team building device  16 . A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the CPU  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ), can be used for the memory  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ). 
     The input/output interface  24 ( 1 )- 24 ( n ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is used to operatively couple and communicate between the candidate computing device  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) and the project team building device  16  via the communication network(s)  18 , although other types and numbers of connections or configurations can also be used. By way of example only, the communication network(s)  18  could use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols and can include one or more local area networks or wide area networks, for example. 
     The input device  25 ( 1 )- 25 ( n ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is used to enable a user to interact with the candidate computing device  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), such as to input data or to configure, program, or operate the candidate computing device  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) by way of example only. Input devices may include a keyboard, computer mouse, or touchscreen, for example, although other types and numbers of input devices could also be used. The display device  26 ( 1 )- 26 ( 1 ) in each of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is used to enable a user to view data and information output or provided by the candidate computing device  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). Display devices  26 ( 1 )- 26 ( n ) may include a computer monitor or a touchscreen, although other types and numbers of display devices could also be used. 
     The recruiter computing device  14  in this example includes a central processing unit (CPU)  30 , a memory  32 , an input/output interface  34 , an input device  35 , and a display device  36 , which are coupled together by a bus  38  or other link. The recruiter computing device  14  can also have other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations and locations. A recruiter can use the recruiter computing device  14  to submit required skills for a project to the project team building device  14 , select and remove potential candidates for a project team, view and compare previously built project teams, and to exchange other information with the project team building device  14  and/or to perform other functions. 
     The CPU  30  in the recruiter computing device  14  executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein. Other types and numbers of processing devices and configurable hardware logic could be used and the CPU  30  in the recruiter computing device  14  could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
     The memory  32  in the recruiter computing device  14  stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology, as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and/or executed elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the CPU  30 , can be used for the memory  32 . 
     The input/output interface  34  in the recruiter computing device  14  is used to operatively couple and communicate between the recruiter computing device  14  and the project team building device  16  via the communication network(s)  18 , although other types and numbers of connections or configurations can also be used. 
     The input device  35  in the recruiter computing device  14  is used to enable a user to interact with the recruiter computing device  14 , such as to input data or to configure, program, or operate the recruiter computing device  14  by way of example only. The input device may be a keyboard, computer mouse, or touchscreen, for example, although other types and numbers of input devices could also be used. The display device  36  in the recruiter computing device  14  is used to enable a user to view data and information output or provided by the recruiter computing device  14 . The display device  36  may be a computer monitor or a touchscreen, although other types and numbers of display devices could also be used. 
     The project team building device  16  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  40 , a memory  42 , and an input/output interface  44 , which are coupled together by a bus  46  or other link, although other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations and locations can also be used. The CPU  40  in the project team building device  16  executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, although other types and numbers of processing devices and configurable hardware logic could be used and the CPU  40  could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
     The memory  42  in the project team building device  16  stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and executed elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the CPU  40 , can be used for the memory  42 . 
     The input/output interface  44  in the project team building device  16  is used to operatively couple and communicate between the project team building device  16 , the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), and the recruiter computing device  14  via the communication network(s)  18 , although other types and numbers of connections and configurations can also be used. 
     Although examples of the project team building device  16 , the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), and recruiter computing device  14 , which are coupled together via the communication network(s)  18 , are described herein, each of these systems can be implemented on any suitable computer system or computing device. It is to be understood that the devices and systems of the examples described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the examples are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     Furthermore, each of the systems of the examples may be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, and micro-controllers, programmed according to the teachings of the examples, as described and illustrated herein, and as will be appreciated by those ordinary skill in the art. 
     In addition, two or more computing systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the systems in any embodiment of the examples. The examples may also be implemented on computer device(s) that extend across any suitable network using any suitable interface mechanisms and communications technologies, including by way of example only telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice and modem), wireless communications media, wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, or combinations thereof. 
     The examples may also be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, as described herein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps necessary to implement the methods of the examples, as described and illustrated herein. 
     Exemplary methods and devices for building project teams will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . Referring more specifically to  FIG. 2 , in step  200  the project team building device  16  receives, from users of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), potential or prospective team member information including identifying information and a plurality of skills. The candidate information can be stored by the project team building device  16  as a plurality of candidate profiles, collectively representing a candidate pool, in a database in the memory  42 , for example, although other storage methods and locations can also be used. 
     In one example, the candidate profiles can be input through form(s) requested by users of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) using a web browser executed on the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The web page forms can be stored in and provided from the memory  42  by the project team building device  16 . In this example, the forms can include selectable menu(s) including an established lexicon of skills, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  and described with reference to step  202 , for example. The selectable menu(s) can also be searchable based on a keyword or natural language search submitted by a user. 
     In another example, users of the candidate computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) send at least one document, such as a resume, which is parsed by the project team building device  16  to extract at least the identifying information and skills for each candidate. Other methods of receiving and storing candidate information can also be used. 
     In step  202 , the project team building device  16  obtains required skills associated with a project and a required number of team members having one or more of the required skills. In this example, a user of the recruiter computing device  14  communicates with the project team building device  16  to submit login credentials and receive a new project input web page from the project team building device  16 . The user of the recruiter computing device  14  can be a recruiter, employer, manager, or other representative of an organization, or any other person requiring a team to complete a project. The new project input web page can be stored in and provided from the memory  42 , for example. In this example, the new project input web page includes input field(s) for the user of the recruiter computing device  14  to submit at least a name and a description of the new project. 
     Additionally, in this example the new project input web page includes a selectable and hierarchical menu corresponding to a taxonomy that facilitates submission by the user of the recruiter computing device  14  of required skills associated with the new project. The obtained skills required for the project in this example are based on an established taxonomy, which optionally corresponds to the taxonomy used to receive the skills from the candidates in step  200 . By using the same taxonomy for the candidate skills as the skills required for the project, optimal candidates for a project team for the new project will be more likely to be located, as described and illustrated in more detail below with reference to step  204 . 
     Exemplary portions of a taxonomy  300 A and  300 B are illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , respectively, wherein the column  302  and row  306  represent the broadest category in the taxonomy  300 A and  300 B, respectively, and the column  304  and row  308  represent the possible required skills selectable by a user of the recruiter computing device  14  using the taxonomy  300 A and  300 B, respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , a user can traverse multiple paths in the hierarchy in order to selected a skill. 
     Upon selection of a required skill, the new project input web page can include an input field for receiving the required number of members having the required skill, although other methods of inputting the required skills and required number of members can also be used. In one example, a medium-sized company desires to engage in a new project of building a website having a number of features. In this example, the new project requires each of the skills  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , as obtained by the project team building device  16  in step  202 , and does not require more than one member to have each of the skills. 
     Upon submission of all of the required skills and number of members for the project by the user of the recruiter computing device  14 , in step  204 , the project team building device  16  builds and outputs a suggested team. In order to build the suggested team, the project team building device  16  searches the candidate profiles stored in the memory  42  in step  200  for candidates in the pool that are associated with a plurality of skills, a subset of which includes at least one of the required skills obtained in step  202 . 
     When the same skills lexicon is used to receive candidate profiles as required skills for the project, the search parameters including the required skills obtained in step  202  will match the candidate skills received in step  200 . In this example, when none or not enough of the candidates are associated with one or more of the required skills, the project team building device  16  adds a candidate to the team based on a closest match. A closest match can be determined based on a match of a skill in a same or closest hierarchical category as the one or more unsatisfied required skills, for example, although other methods of determining a closest match can also be used. 
     Also optionally, the project team building device  16  can build the suggested team using the least number of candidates that satisfy all of the required skills and required number of members, although other methods of building the suggested team can also be used. Additionally, when multiple candidates are associated with skills matching the same number of required skills, other parameters associated with the candidates and stored in the candidates profile can be used to select a subset of the equivalent candidates for the suggested team. For example, the project team building device  16  can obtain the number of years of experience candidates have with respect to the associated skills and store the experience level along with the candidate profiles in step  200 . The experience level can then be used to select between equivalent candidates. Other candidates profile information can also be obtained and used to select between candidates with an equivalent number of the required skills. 
     In step  206 , the project team building device  16  provides the suggested team and the list of possible candidates to the recruiter computing device  14 , such as by outputting the suggest team and the list to a results web page, for example. In this example, the results web page includes at least identifying information for the candidates included in the list and members of the suggested team, which corresponds to the identifying information received and stored in step  200 . 
     Optionally, the results web page further includes an indication of all the skills associated with each of the candidates and team members. Also optionally, the list of candidates is organized based on a number of the skills associated with each of the candidates matching the required skills so that candidates meeting the most required skills are displayed near the top of the list. Additionally, other candidate information (e.g., languages or job type) can be input in step  202  and used to filter the candidates included in the list of candidates based on additional candidate information received in step  200 . 
     In step  208 , the project team building device  16  optionally determines and provides metric(s) and context information associated with the project team. In one example, the project team building device  16  determines and provides a completeness score metric which can be a percentage of the required skills that are met by the team members. In another example, the project team building device  16  optionally determines and provides an indication of the skills required for the new project that are met by the team members. 
     In yet another example, the project team building device  16  optionally determines and provides an indication and/or a number of redundant or overlapping skills associated with the team members. The identified redundant skills can be required skills and/or skills not required by the new project but associated with the team members. The project team building device  16  can output the metrics and context information determined in step  208  on the results web page or on another web page, such as in the form of a dashboard for example, that is provided to the recruiter computing device  14 , although other display methods can also be used. 
     Optionally, the project team building device  16  further determines, in step  208 , whether any of the team members are redundant based on the respective associated skills. Accordingly, if all of the required skills for any one of the team members are satisfied by one or more other of the team members, then the one of the team members can be considered redundant, depending on the required number of team members having the one or more required skills obtained in step  202 . In a first iteration, the project team building device  16  will necessarily determine that none of the members of the suggested team are redundant. 
     However, if the project team building device  16  determines that any of the team members are redundant, such as in a second or subsequent iteration, then the project team building device  16  also provides, in step  208 , an indication of the redundant member(s). Depending on the requirements of the new project and/or the preferences of the user of the recruiter computing device  14 , it may be desirable to include the redundant member(s) in the project team or to remove the redundant member(s) from the project team. Additionally, the user of the recruiter computing device  14  may want to remove a member for having only a subset of required skills that overlap with other candidate(s) as indicated in step  208 , or for any other reason based on the metrics and/or context information provided in step  208 . 
     In step  210 , the project team building device  16  determines whether an input to modify the suggested team is received from the user of the recruiter computing device  14 . The input can be in the form of a selection of one of the candidates in the list for inclusion in the team or selection of one of the team members to be removed from the team. 
     In one example, the results web page includes a drag-and-drop feature which allows the user of the recruiter computing device  14  to drag an element of the results web page associated with a candidate included in the list to a designated area of the results web page, such as a project team folder, for example. A similar drag-and-drop feature can be provided to allow the user of the recruiter computing device  14  to remove a member from the team, although other methods of submitting a selection of one of the candidates included in the list or one of the members of the team can also be used. 
     If the project team building device  16  determines in step  210  that an input to modify the suggested team is received, then the Yes branch is taken to step  212 . In step  212 , the project team building device  16  adds one or more of the candidates to the project team or removes one or more members of the project team, based on the input to modify the suggested team. In this example, a member is removed from the team by the user of the recruiter computing device  14  leaving team members associated with required skills  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which is a subset of the required skills for the project illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Subsequent to adding a candidate from the list to the team or removing a member from the team, the project team building device  16  proceeds back to step  206 , and the team and the list of possible candidates is provided to the recruiter computing device  14  as described and illustrated earlier. If no members were removed in step  210 , the list can be organized as described and illustrated earlier with reference to step  206 . 
     However, in this subsequent iteration of step  206 , the list can also be organized based on a number of skills associated with the possible candidates matching required skills of any members removed in step  210  or otherwise unmet by the current team members. Accordingly, possible candidates associated with skills matching required skills of the removed members, or otherwise unsatisfied by the team, can be ranked higher in the list. Additionally, any removed members can optionally be excluded from the list. In this example, the skills  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6  are unmet based on the member removed from the team in step  212 . 
     Accordingly, steps  206 - 212  can be repeated by the project team building device  16  as described and illustrated earlier to allow the user of the recruiter computing device  14  to build a desired team. Referring back to step  210 , if the project team building device  16  determines that an input to modify the project team is not received in any iteration, then the No branch is taken to step  214 . In one example, the user of the recruiter computing device  14  can indicate to the project team building device  16 , such as through interaction with a project team complete button for example, that no more modifications are to be made to the team. Other conditions and metrics can also be used in order to indicate to the project team building device  16  that the project team is complete in step  210 . 
     In step  214 , the project team building device  16  provides the selected candidates as a project team associated with the project. The project team building device  16  can store the selected candidates as a project team such as by associating the candidate profiles in the memory  42  with a unique project team identifier associated with a unique identifier for the new project, for example, although other storage methods can also be used. Optionally, the project team building device  16  also stores the metrics and context information associated with the project team, as determined and provided in the last iteration of step  208 , as associated with the project team in the memory  42 . 
     In step  216 , the project team building device  16  determines whether the user of the recruiter computing device  14  would like to build an additional team for the new project. Accordingly, the user can begin the process of building a new project team by interacting with a new project team button in the results web page, for example, which is configured to send a request to build a new project team to the project team building device  16 , although other methods of indicating that an additional team will be built for the project can be used. 
     Upon receiving the request, or otherwise determining in step  216  that the user of the recruiter computing device  14  would like to build an additional team, the Yes branch is taken to step  204  and the project team building device  16  builds and outputs a suggested team, as described and illustrated earlier. Accordingly, steps  204 - 216  can optionally be repeated to allow the user of the recruiter computing device  14  to build a plurality of teams for a project. 
     In one example, the user can indicate that no additional project teams will be built by interacting with a compare project teams button, for example, which is configured to send a request to compare the project teams built for the new project to the project team building device  16 . Upon receiving the request, or otherwise determining in step  216  that the user of the recruiter computing device  14  would not like to build an additional team, the No branch is taken to step  218 . 
     In step  218 , the project team building device  16  provides the project team(s) associated with the new project including an indication of the candidates and/or skills associated with each of the project team(s). The project team information can be retrieved from the memory  42  and output to a team comparison web page that is sent by the project team building device  16  to the recruiter computing device  14 , for example. The built project teams can include various combinations of candidates having various associated skills. Accordingly, the teams can also have varying metrics and context information, as determined in step  208 , for example, which are also optionally retrieved from the memory  42  and included in the team comparison web page provided by the project team building device  16 . 
     Using the team comparison web page, the user of the recruiter computing device  14  can compare various project teams for the new project to determine the optimal combination of candidates. In some examples, candidate interest, interview results, and availability conflicts can require removal of otherwise optimal candidates from a project team. In these examples, a user of the recruiter computing device  14  can communicate with the project team building device  16  to remove one or more candidates and optionally add one or more candidates to a previously provided project team. 
     Candidates can be removed or added by submitting authenticated login credentials and a request to edit a previously built project team to the project team building device  16 . In response to the request, the project team building device  16  can build and send to the recruiter computing device  14  a results web page based on the information for the previously built project team stored in the memory  42 . Upon sending the results web page, the project team building device  16  can perform steps  206 - 214 , with respect to the previously built project team. Alternatively, in these examples, the user of the recruiter computing device  14  can build a new project team for the project, as described and illustrated earlier. 
     By this technology, project teams can be built that include members having various required and other skills to assist employers or recruiters, for example, in building an optimal team for a project. Various metrics and context information including completeness and redundancy can be generated and output for a plurality of teams built for a project thereby advantageously providing a quantitative comparison of the project teams. Accordingly, with this technology, an optimal team of candidates can be selected that satisfies all or a threshold number of required skills as well as represents reduced or increased skill redundancy, according to the needs and parameters of the associated project. 
     Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.