Claims:We claim
1. A method to measure competency level of at least one user comprises the steps of:
a) measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal;
b) scoring the competency level of the user based on the measured behavioral parameter of the user;
c) comparing the measured competency level with a predetermined criteria provided by a recruiter; and
d) displaying the list of users who matches with the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
a) assigning default weightage (W) for each behavioral parameter associated with that particular competency level based on the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter; and
b) deriving normalized score (Z) for that particular behavioral parameter for each individual user.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method for measuring normalized score (Z) for that particular behavioral parameter for each individual user further comprises the steps of:
a) deriving an average score (µ) obtained by a set of users for that particular behavioral parameter by taking into consideration the individual score (Xi) obtained by the user for that particular behavioral parameter;
b) deriving an amount of variation (s) in the score obtained by the set of users for that particular behavioral parameter; and
c) calculating the normalized score (Z) for that particular behavioral parameter, wherein:
Z= (Xi - µ) / s.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the default weightage set for each behavioral parameter is multiplied with the normalized score obtained by the user for that particular behavioral parameter so as to score the competency level of the user.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method allows the user to:
a) interact with the online portal through various collaborative tools such as wikis, blogs, discussion forums, quiz, webinar online and competitions;
b) provide access to the content available on the online portal such as reference materials written by industry experts, submit projects and assignments; and
c) allow the user to interact with the other users and/or industry experts so as to provide a collaborative interaction platform to measure competencies.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the method scores the behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user based on the user’s interaction and participation in the online portal.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method measures at least one competency level of the user related to team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness.
, Description:[0001] PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

[0002] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0003] Technical field of the invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a method to measure competency level of a user, and more specifically relates to a method to measure competency level of the user by measuring the behavioral parameter of the user with an online portal of the present invention.
[0005] Background of the invention:
[0006] The world is changing; it is getting both smaller and bigger at the same time. Our world shrinks, as the technology now allows us to communicate both synchronously and asynchronously with peers around the world. Thus, changes in the industry today demand a need to increase the efficiency in recruitment process also. However, a typical recruitment process lasts only for few minutes starting with a basic technical assessment followed by a face to face interaction. However, this is a very small time frame for a student to showcase all his/her capabilities and it is a manual process for industry to hire a right candidate. Hence there exists a need for a system/method to measure the competency level of the user on a periodic basic say monthly, quarterly and provide suggestions to the user using a dashboard on how to improve their competency level.
[0007] There are tools available in the markets that measures a user’s competency based on certain examination/test at a certain point of time only. For instance, the US patent document US9245257 (referred herein as ‘257) discloses a system and method for generating a user profile based on skill information associated with a user. Here, the system receives skill information of the user from at least one external social network. Thus, the created user profile based on the skill information of the user is publicly accessible and viewable by other entities such as recruiters and/or other employees for recruitment process.
[0008] However, the system as disclosed in ‘257 does not provide a means for continuous evaluation of user’s competencies for various industry sectors, roles and/or employment opportunities. Hence, there exists a need for a method that scores students based on the predetermined criteria set by the user and enable the competence score to be used to match the job seeker with recruiters, employers, and/or employment opportunities.
[0009] Summary of the invention:
[0010] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method to measure competency level of at least one user based on the predetermined criteria set by a recruiter. The method to measure competency level of the user further comprises the steps of measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal and then scoring the competency level of the user based on the measured behavioral parameter of the user. The method then compares the measured competency level with predetermined criteria provided by a recruiter and then displays the list of users who matches with the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter.
[0011] In accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the method measures at least one competency level of the user including but not limited to team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness.
[0012] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method allows the recruiters and/or employers to define predetermined criteria for various industry sectors, roles and/or employment opportunities and search for the user who matches with the specified criteria. The predetermined criteria may include a suitable competence score that a user should have for the job, enabling the competence score to be used to match the user with recruiters and/or employers criteria.
[0013] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method allows the user to interact with the online portal through various collaborative tools such as wikis, blogs, discussion forums, quiz, webinar and competitions. The method also provides access to the content available on the online portal such as reference materials written by industry experts, submit projects and assignments. Further, the online portal allows the user to interact with the other users and/or industry experts to provide a collaborative interaction platform for the method to measure competencies. Further, the online portal is accessible by the user by using any mobile device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop or any electronic device that is able to interact with the user using a graphical user interface (GUI), for measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user such as team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness .
[0014] Thus, the method of the present invention measures at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal and then compares the measured competency level with predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter. The method allows the recruiter to define skill set required and to identify best fit users matching various industry sectors, roles and/or employment criteria.
[0015] Brief description of the drawings:
[0016] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0017] FIG 1, FIG 1a and FIG 1b illustrate a method to measure the competency level of the user, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG 2 and FIG 2a illustrate a process of creating and sharing blogs, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG 3 and FIG 3a illustrate a process of creating and sharing wikis, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG 4 and FIG 4a illustrate a process of participation in discussion forums, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG 5 illustrate a process of participation in competitions in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG 6, 6a and 6b illustrate the process of submitting projects online, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG 7 is a screenshot allowing the students to participate in quiz, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG 8 is a screenshot illustrating the process of submitting assignments, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG 9 illustrate an exemplary list of behavioral parameter associated with a particular competency level, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG 10, FIG 11 and FIG 12 illustrate a process for calculating normalized score for a particular behavioral parameter, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Detailed description of the invention:
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0029] The term ‘student’ used herein refers to any student having an engineering, scientific or technical background.
[0030] The term ‘wiki’ used herein refers to an online platform that allows users to create and share content on a particular topic in a collaborative environment.
[0031] The present invention relates to method to measure competency level of at least one user based on the predetermined criteria set by a recruiter. For this purpose, the method comprises the steps of measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal and scores the competency level of the user based on the measured behavioral parameter of the user. Here, the online portal allows the user to participate in wikis, blogs, discussion forums, quiz, webinar online, competitions and scores the users based on the user’s interaction and participation in the online portal.
[0032] FIG 1, FIG 1a and FIG 1b illustrate a method to measure the competency level of the user, in accordance to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method to measure the competency level of the user comprises the steps of measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal at step 101. At step 102, the method scores the competency level of the user based on the measured behavioral parameter of the user. Here, the method scores the behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user based on the user’s interaction and participation in the online portal. The method compares the measured competency level with predetermined criteria provided by a recruiter at step 103 and displays the list of users who matches with the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter at step 104.
[0033] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method for scoring the competency level of the user based on the measured behavioral parameter of the user further comprises the steps of assigning default weightage for each behavioral parameter associated with that particular competency level based on the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter at step 105. The method calculates normalized score for that particular behavioral parameter for the user based on the user’s interaction and participation in the online portal at step 106. At step 107, the default weightage set for each behavioral parameter is multiplied with the normalized score obtained by the user for that particular behavioral parameter so as to score the competency level of the user.
[0034] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method for measuring normalized score (Z) for that particular behavioral parameter for each individual user further comprises the steps of deriving an average score (µ) obtained by a set of users for that particular behavioral parameter by taking into consideration the individual score (Xi) obtained by the user for that particular behavioral parameter at step 106a. At step 106b, the method derives an amount of variation (s) in the score obtained by the set of users for that particular behavioral parameter and then calculates the normalized score (Z) for that particular behavioral parameter at step 106c as shown below:
Z= (Xi - µ) / s.
[0035] In accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the method measures at least one competency level of the user including but not limited to team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness.
[0036] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method allows the recruiters and/or employers to define predetermined criteria for various industry sectors, roles and/or employment opportunities and search for the user/jobseekers who matches with the specified criteria. The predetermined criteria may include a suitable competence score that a user should have for the job, enabling the competence score to be used to match the user/jobseeker with recruiters and/or employers.
[0037] In accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention, the method allows the user to interact with the online portal through various collaborative tools such as wikis, blogs, discussion forums, quiz, webinar and competitions. The method also provides access to the content available on the online portal such as reference materials written by industry experts, submit projects and assignments. Further, the method allows the user to interact with the other users and/or industry experts so as to provide a collaborative interaction platform for the method to measure competencies.
[0038] In accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the online portal is accessible by the user by using any mobile device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or any electronic device that is able to interact with the user using a graphical user interface (GUI), for measuring at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user such as team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness.
[0039] FIG 2 and FIG 2a illustrate a process of creating and sharing blogs, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. The online portal (201) of the present invention allows users such as students to create blogs as shown in FIG 2. Here, the users are allowed to keep a suitable blog title (202) and content (203) for the blog, and create a blog. By clicking on the publish icon (204), the online created blogs are made visible to other users also.
[0040] FIG 2a illustrates exemplary list of blogs created and shared by students. By clicking on ‘All Blogs’ (205) options a list of blogs created by all the other users are made visible to the user.
[0041] FIG 3 and FIG 3a illustrate a process of creating and sharing wikis, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] The online portal (201) of the present invention allows users to create wikis and share it with other users. The user may select a suitable wiki title (301) and content (302) and share it with other users using a ‘Publish’ (303) option. However, the wikis created by a user is visible to other users only upon approval by the online portal administrator.
[0043] FIG 3a illustrate exemplary list of wikis created and shared by students, instructors and industry experts. By clicking on ‘All wikis” (304) options, a list of wikis created by all the other users are made visible to the user.
[0044] FIG 4 and FIG 4a illustrate a process of participation in discussion forums, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG 4, the online portal (201) of the present invention allows the students to participate in an ongoing discussion. The online portal (201) also allows the students to start a new discussion by clicking on ‘start a new discussion’ (401) tab.
[0045] By clicking on ‘start a new discussion’ (401) tab, the online portal (201) allows the student to create a suitable topic (402) and content (403) for discussion. The discussion topics created by the user are shared to other users by clicking on a ‘Publish’ (404, FIG 4a) option. However, the discussion topics created by one user are visible to other users only upon approval from the portal administrator.
[0046] FIG 5 illustrates a process of participation in competitions, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. The online portal (201) of the present invention allows the students to select a topic, form a group and submit a technical paper online.
[0047] FIG 6, 6a and 6b illustrate the process of submitting projects online, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. The online portal (201) as shown in FIG 6 allows the students to create a team by inviting team members to join the team using the invite (601) option. Upon creating a team, the online portal (201) allows the students to select a topic (602) from a list of topic (as shown in FIG 6a) and select a guide (603, as shown in FIG 6b).
[0048] In accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the online portal (201) may allow the students to submit projects as a part of university curriculum or based on their corresponding industrial allied course taught online. In this case, the projects so submitted may be evaluated by the instructor or industry experts and the results are published in the online portal (201).
[0049] FIG 7 is a screenshot allowing the students to participate in quiz, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. The online portal (201) of the present invention allows the student to participate in quiz. The quiz is a credit based quiz with a time out feature.
[0050] FIG 8 is a screenshot illustrating the process of submitting assignments, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention. The online portal (201) of the present invention allows the students to download assignment topic uploaded by the faculty. The students may also write the assignment using the rich text editor (801) or may optionally upload the assignment using ‘Upload’ option.
[0051] The students are automatically scored based on the time the student spends on the industrial allied courses material, reference materials, participation in quizzes and webinars. The students are also scored based on their mentoring and collaboration activities.
[0052] FIG 9 illustrates an exemplary list of behavioral parameter associated with a particular competency level, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] The table as shown in FIG 9 lists an exemplary list of behavioral parameter (901) associated with at least one competency (902) including but not limited to team work, leadership quality, analytical skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, initiative, technical skills, creativity, commitment and general awareness.
[0054] For instance, the method scores the competency level of the user related to a competency level such as a technical skill by taking into consideration the normalized score obtained by the user in submitting technical paper, poster content, poster marks and project tasks.
[0055] FIG 10, FIG 11 and FIG 12 illustrate a process for calculating normalized score for a particular behavioral parameter, in accordance to one or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] Let us consider for illustrative purpose as shown in FIG 10, the process of scoring the technical skills of the user by taking into consideration the following behavioral parameter related to the user such as technical paper marks, project marks, poster competition marks and project tasks. As shown in FIG 10, the method in order to derive a normalized score for a user first derives the average score (µ) obtained by a set of users for the particular behavioral parameter and the amount of variation of the score obtained by the set of users (s) for that particular behavioral parameter.
[0057] Thus, in accordance to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the method calculates the normalized score (z) for the particular behavioral parameter for the user as shown below:
Z= (Xi - µ) / s, wherein,
- Xi is the score obtained by each individual user for the particular behavioral parameter,
- µ is the average score obtained by the set of users for the particular behavioral parameter,
- s is the amount of variation in the score obtained by the set of users for that particular behavioral parameter.
[0058] The method thus calculates the normalized score (z) for each behavioral parameter for each user so as to calculate the competency level of the user. For illustrative purpose, let us consider the marks obtained by students for the particular behavioral parameter such as ‘Technical Paper Marks’. Here, the method derives the average score (µ) obtained by the set of users (i.e. student 1, student 2, student 3, student 4) for technical paper as ‘39’. Then the method calculates the standard deviation (s) obtained by the set of users for ‘Technical Paper Marks’ as ‘8.44’. The method then scores the normalized score for student 1 using the following formula:
Z= (50-39)/ 8.44
[0059] Thus, the method calculates the normalized score for ‘student 1’ pertaining to ‘Technical Paper Marks’ as ‘1.302406113’.
[0060] As shown in FIG 11, the method multiplies the normalized score (Z) obtained by each user say ‘student 1’ with the default weightage (W) set for each behavioral parameter (Technical Paper Marks, Project Marks, Poster Competition Marks, No of Projects Completed) related to the particular competency such as ‘Technical Skills’. Here, the default weightage (W) for each behavioral parameter is assigned based on the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter.
[0061] The method upon scoring the competency level of the user based on the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter displays the list of users who matches with the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter (as shown in FIG 12). Here, the method displays the score obtained by the ‘student 1’ for competencies related to analytical skills, technical skills, general awareness, commitment and initiative.
[0062] Thus, the method of the present invention measures at least one behavioral parameter related to at least one competency level of the user using an online portal and then compares the measured competency level with predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter. The method allows the recruiter to define skill set required so as to enable the recruiters to identify best fit users matching various industry sectors, roles and/or employment criteria.
[0063] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. In practical, there may be ‘n’ number of user and the method is capable of measures the competency level of each user based on the predetermined criteria provided by the recruiter. Further, the competency level listed in the invention is for illustrative purpose only and in practical the competency level may be tailored as per the recruiter’s need.