Method and system for optimized scheduling

Abstract

A method of optimizing the scheduling of tasks may be used to schedule telephone contact attempts through an automated dialing system (20). The method includes receiving an account data file comprising account information for a plurality of accounts to be processed over a processing period. This processing period is divided into a plurality of contact attempt periods. The method also includes producing for each of the plurality of accounts an action result probability for each contact attempt period. The method also includes producing or determining a priority value for each of the accounts, determining a quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, and determining resource costs for each contact attempt. These quantities or values, along with the action result probability, represent parameters over which the scheduling may be optimized. Once the parameters are determined the method includes producing a contact attempt value for each account and each contact period. The contact attempt value comprises a numerical value representing the relative desirability of attempting to contact the respective account during the respective contact period considering the account's priority value, probability of right party contact, quantity of contact resources available, and the costs of making the contact attempt. After the contact attempt values are assigned to each account and each attempt period, the method includes making contact attempts within each contact attempt period in order of descending contact attempt value. Finally, the method of the invention includes collecting contact attempt history data.