Novel Job Scheduling Tool for University Technology Transfer

Abstract

Technology commercialization managers are often faced with (1) training inventors on intellectual property (IP) laws and IP policies, (2) evaluating invention disclosures for patentability and marketability, (3) drafting and implementing invention marketing plans, and (4) working closely with patent counsel on patent prosecution. This study begins with the fact that expediency is important because the amount of time taken to evaluate invention disclosures and file patent applications often conflicts with inventors’ desire to publish their findings. Yet, very few technology transfer managers use project management job scheduling tools to minimize processing time. Next, this study describes the development of a novel job scheduling tool for university technology transfer using simulated annealing in R programming. A description of experimentation follows and the test results follow. Next, the discussion provides that the primary implication for technology managers is that the tasks involved in technology transfer can be scheduled quite easily and speedily with this proposed job scheduling tool. A limitation to the study is that a hypothetical set of TTO staff job tasks was scheduled. Also, faculty inventors’ tasks are not included. Thus, future research should include further experimentation in actual university technology transfer offices using the job tasks that their specialists need to schedule in real time.