Abstract: A system and method is provided for sourcing agreement and performance analysis comprising the steps of identifying scenarios for material requirements, identifying scenarios for supply environments, identifying terms of existing and/or prospective sourcing agreements, identifying a set of sourcing agreement utilization policies, identifying inventory-related and shortage costs scenarios, and computing future sourcing performance based on the identified scenarios, existing or prospective sourcing agreements, and sourcing agreement utilization policies. Various cost/risk and other future performance measures (e.g., scenarios, metrics, etc.) are output from the stated computing step and business decisions.

Abstract: A system and method for representing and incorporating available information into uncertainty-based forecasts is provided. The system comprises a new class of models able to efficiently and effectively represent uncertainty-based forecasts with a wide range of characteristics with greater accuracy. Further, methods provide for selection of a most appropriate model from the class of models and calibration of the selected model to all available data, including both directly relevant historical data and expert opinion and analysis. An output is a model that can be used to generate an uncertainty-based forecast for a variable or variables of interest accurately and efficiently. In addition, methods for refining input data and testing and refining the output representation of the uncertainty-based forecast are provided.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analyzing relationships between sourcing variables. A condition is defined utilizing one or more sourcing variables. One or more sourcing performance scenarios that satisfy the condition are identified. At least one relationship between the one or more sourcing variables is defined. The at least one relationship is then analyzed utilizing the one or more identified sourcing performance scenarios. The results of the analysis may be refined with further conditions, relationships, and/or sourcing performance scenarios.

Abstract: A system and method for representing and incorporating available information into uncertainty-based forecasts is provided. The system comprises a new class of models able to efficiently and effectively represent uncertainty-based forecasts with a wide range of characteristics with greater accuracy. Further, methods provide for selection of a most appropriate model from the class of models and calibration of the selected model to all available data, including both directly relevant historical data and expert opinion and analysis. An output is a model that can be used to generate an uncertainty-based forecast for a variable or variables of interest accurately and efficiently. In addition, methods for refining input data and testing and refining the output representation of the uncertainty-based forecast are provided.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optimizing sourcing opportunity utilization policies. A user provides at least one of a business objective and a business constraint. Next, an available set of sourcing opportunity utilization policies is determined. From this set, an “optimal” sourcing opportunity utilization policy is selected based on its ability to best meet the at least one business objective or constraint. Based on evaluation of the optimal sourcing opportunity utilization policy and/or associated business performance, the at least one business objective or constraint and/or available set of sourcing opportunity utilization policies may be revised, and the process repeated to determine the optimal sourcing utilization policy for this revised specification.