Abstract: An initiative object corresponding to an organization decision to explore a topic is defined, and a first goal definition and a first skills definition for the initiative object are defined. A project object corresponding to a project undertaken by the organization is defined, the project associated with exploring the topic, and a second goal definition and a second skills definition for the project object are defined. Employees are searched in an employee skills database using at least one of the first or second skills definitions, and assigned to the initiative object and to the project object, wherein the project object, but not the initiative object, affects employee availability. Upon closing the initiative object or project object, a skills record is updated using the first or second skills definitions; and upon closing the initiative object or project object, a performance record is updated using the first or second goal definitions.