Abstract: A performance optimization system includes a superior performance engine identifying high performance entities and determining benchmarks from data captured for the high performance entities. The benchmarks correspond with factors in the indices. The indices include a growth index, an operational excellence index, and an enterprise management index. A data capture module captures data related to the factors for an entity. An optimization engine determines values for the factors from the data captured for the entity, and compares the values with the benchmarks to identify underachieving factors. Estimated performance for the entity is calculated based on modifications to the underachieving factors.

Abstract: A performance optimization system includes a superior performance engine identifying high performance entities and determining benchmarks from data captured for the high performance entities. The benchmarks correspond with factors in the indices. The indices include a growth index, an operational excellence index, and an enterprise management index. A data capture module captures data related to the factors for an entity. An optimization engine determines values for the factors from the data captured for the entity, and compares the values with the benchmarks to identify underachieving factors. Estimated performance for the entity is calculated based on modifications to the underachieving factors.

Abstract: Target setting, forecasting, and budgeting methods and tools are provided in which targets are selected at a high level of management through a process of strategic planning to select targets based on a combination of value expected to be added and manageability of the candidate targets, including computer simulations of increased cash flow expected to be generated by the target strategies. The strategically planned targets are then flowed down to the various levels of management, budgets are constructed around those target strategies, and the budgets are then consolidated and flowed upward. By defining organizational targets and then aligning those targets with strategic goals from the beginning, the number and scope of iterations of budget adjustments can be reduced.

Abstract: The performance management system and method enable users to set performance targets and analyze performance measures for a company based on financial information. The system displays three template areas respectively containing historical financial data for a first time period, predicted financial data for a second time period, and financial performance measurement changes from the first time period to the second time period, where financial performance measures are displayed for each of the time periods. The second template area receives target input variables that include target NOPAT growth, target TRS, and target dividends per share. The system and method enable the recursive adjustment of at least one of the target input variables for a future time period until a percentage change in the target TRS displayed in the second template area is equal to a user selectable target TRS value.

Abstract: A computerized system to determine estimations for analytics capabilities includes a value driver determination module to determine key value drivers associated with the entity. The system also includes an analytics matching module to identify analytics capabilities that align to the key value drivers. An analytics valuation module estimates values for the matching analytics capabilities based on benchmarks and financial and operational data for the entity. A cost and capital determination module estimates costs and capital for implementing the matching analytics capabilities, and an analytics selector module determines benefits for the matching analytics capabilities based on the estimated values and the costs and the capital.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing the relative performance of a business unit includes: receiving financial data about the business unit; determining NOPLAT, revenue, capital charge, and invested capital values for the business unit at a first time and a second time from the financial data; determining at least two data points including a first component indicative of NOPLAT/revenue and a second component indicative of revenue/capital charge for the business unit, the at least two data points indicative of values determined at one of the first time and the second time, respectively; and displaying the at least two data points, a first indicia for each data point indicative of the capital value, a second indicia indicative of a spread percentage, and a third indicia indicative of a relationship between the at least two data points between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: The performance management system and method enable users to set performance targets and analyze performance measures for a company based on financial information. The system displays three template areas respectively containing historical financial data for a first time period, predicted financial data for a second time period, and financial performance measurement changes from the first time period to the second time period, where financial performance measures are displayed for each of the time periods. The second template area receives target input variables that include target NOPAT growth, target TRS, and target dividends per share. The system and method enable the recursive adjustment of at least one of the target input variables for a future time period until a percentage change in the target TRS displayed in the second template area is equal to a user selectable target TRS value.

Abstract: The Enhanced Business Reporting Methodology provides a way to assess the performance of a company. The method includes receiving financial data about the company, calculating a Total Economic Profit (TEP) value based in part on the financial data, the TEP value including a current value component and a future value component, determining a business component of the company that drives the current value component and/or the future value component, and assessing the business component based in part on the TEP value, the current value component, and/or the future value component. A Total Return to Shareholders (TRS) value may be calculated from this data. The TRS may be decomposed into components and mapped onto a computer-generated display. The data may also be incorporated in corporate management systems and investment analysis systems, and used to generate a set of supplemental financial reports.

Abstract: A method for assessing the performance of a company is provided. The method may include receiving financial data about the company and determining a future value of the company. Next, the future value is decomposed into a plurality of future value components, where the plurality of future value components includes an economy component that defines an implied amount of growth of the company attributable to the growth of the economy in general. Finally, the method may include displaying at least one of the future value components to advise a user of the performance of the company relative to the economy in general.

Abstract: A holistic method of developing a strategic planning solution for a business organization by taking into account a broad array of components within the enterprise planning process includes affirming strategic objectives and the nature of corporate relationship, developing valuation and analyzing driver sensitivities, developing a business model for the organization based upon strategic objectives and sensitivities, developing performance measures and performance indicators, defining desired changes to implement in the corporate planning and reporting processes based upon the desired changes, and reviewing management skills and reward structures and modifying the reward structures in order to implement the identified desired changes.

Abstract: A target setting, forecasting, and budgeting method and tools are provided in which targets are selected at a high level of management through a process of strategic planning to select targets based on a combination of value expected to be added and manageability of the candidate targets, including computer simulations of increased cash flow expected to be generated by the target strategies. The strategically planned targets are then flowed down to the various levels of management, budgets are constructed around those target strategies, and the budgets are then consolidated and flowed upward. By defining organizational targets and then aligning those targets with strategic goals from the beginning, the number and scope of iterations of budget adjustments can be reduced.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for setting targets of predicted growth of financial metrics of a company is provided. The method may include displaying a template of historical and predicted financial performance measures, receiving inputs of predicted financial targets such as earnings growth and shareholder return, and calculating the predicted future value and current value components required to obtain the financial targets.

Abstract: Software encoded on a computer-readable medium when executed performs a method for assessing the performance of a company. The method includes receiving financial data about the company; calculating a Total Economic Profit (TEP) value based in part on the financial data, the TEP value including a current value component and a future value component, determining at least one business component of the company that drives at least one selected from the group comprising the current value component and the future value component, and assessing the at least one business component based in part on at least one selected from the group comprising the TEP value, the current value component, and the future value component. From this data, a Total Return to Shareholders (TRS) value may be calculated with a data processor. The TRS may be decomposed into components and mapped onto a computer-generated display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing corporate investments to measure the performance of a company is provided. The method may include: receiving financial data, the financial data including a plurality of operating investments of the company and a Future Value (FV) of the company; determining with a data processor a plurality of data points from the financial data, each of the plurality of data points indicative of a ratio between one of the plurality of operating investments and the Future Value (FV) of the company; determining a first benchmark and a second benchmark, the first benchmark indicative of a threshold ratio between the FV and the operating investment, the second benchmark indicative of a threshold operating investment; and displaying the data points, the first benchmark, and the second benchmark to advise a user of an effectiveness of the operating investments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing corporate investments to measure the performance of a company is provided. The method may include: receiving financial data, the financial data including a plurality of operating investments of the company and a Future Value (FV) of the company; determining with a data processor a plurality of data points from the financial data, each of the plurality of data points indicative of a ratio between one of the plurality of operating investments and the Future Value (FV) of the company; determining a first benchmark and a second benchmark, the first benchmark indicative of a threshold ratio between the FV and the operating investment, the second benchmark indicative of a threshold operating investment; and displaying the data points, the first benchmark, and the second benchmark to advise a user of an effectiveness of the operating investments.

Abstract: A method for assessing the performance of a company is provided. The method may include receiving financial data about the company and determining a future value of the company. Next, the future value is decomposed into a plurality of future value components, where the plurality of future value components includes an economy component that defines an implied amount of growth of the company attributable to the growth of the economy in general. Finally, the method may include displaying at least one of the future value components to advise a user of the performance of the company relative to the economy in general.

Abstract: A method for assessing the performance of a company includes: receiving financial data about the company; determining a future value of the company; decomposing the future value into a plurality of future value components, where the plurality of future value components includes an economy component that defines an implied amount of growth of the company attributable to the growth of the economy in general; and displaying at least one of the future value components.

Abstract: A target setting, forecasting, and budgeting method and tools are provided in which targets are selected at a high level of management through a process of strategic planning to select targets based on a combination of value expected to be added and manageability of the candidate targets, including computer simulations of increased cash flow expected to be generated by the target strategies. The strategically planned targets are then flowed down to the various levels of management, budgets are constructed around those target strategies, and the budgets are then consolidated and flowed upward. By defining organizational targets and then aligning those targets with strategic goals from the beginning, the number and scope of iterations of budget adjustments can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for assessing the performance of a company includes: receiving financial data about the company; determining a future value of the company; decomposing the future value into a plurality of future value components, where the plurality of future value components includes an economy component that defines an implied amount of growth of the company attributable to the growth of the economy in general; and displaying at least one of the future value components.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing the relative performance of a business unit includes: receiving financial data about the business unit; determining NOPLAT, revenue, capital charge, and invested capital values for the business unit at a first time and a second time from the financial data; determining at least two data points including a first component indicative of NOPLAT/revenue and a second component indicative of revenue/capital charge for the business unit, the at least two data points indicative of values determined at one of the first time and the second time, respectively; and displaying the at least two data points, a first indicia for each data point indicative of the capital value, a second indicia indicative of a spread percentage, and a third indicia indicative of a relationship between the at least two data points between the first time and the second time.