Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for service management, wherein resources that have performed tasks in at least two of a first category, a second category, and at least one additional category are identified. A plurality of correlation sums are determined where the correlation sum includes at least two categories, wherein the correlation sums are added together to produce a correlation value. A correlation product for each correlation sum is calculated based on the respective correlation sum and the number of resources that have performed tasks with respect to the correlation sum. A quotient is calculated for each correlation sum based on the respective correlation product and the correlation value. The categories are grouped into clusters with a clustering module based on the quotients; and, resources are associated with the clusters based on task performance history of the resources.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for service management, wherein resources that have performed tasks in at least two of a first category, a second category, and at least one additional category are identified. A plurality of correlation sums are determined where the correlation sum includes at least two categories, wherein the correlation sums are added together to produce a correlation value. A correlation product for each correlation sum is calculated based on the respective correlation sum and the number of resources that have performed tasks with respect to the correlation sum. A quotient is calculated for each correlation sum based on the respective correlation product and the correlation value. The categories are grouped into clusters with a clustering module based on the quotients; and, resources are associated with the clusters based on task performance history of the resources.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for assessing and implementing an organizational transformation. The method includes identifying at least one process area for each management area targeted for assessment and evaluating at least one solution for the at least one process area. A pairing of a solution to a process area results in a functional area. The method further includes performing orthogonal assessments for each functional area. The orthogonal assessments include determining a need for organizational transformation by ranking each of the functional areas according to a perceived need for organizational transformation, evaluating each of the at least one process area against each of the at least one corresponding solution and calculating any performance gaps identified based upon the evaluating, and evaluating an implementation capability for each of the at least one solution. The method also includes presenting results of each of the orthogonal assessments.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating performance of resource-based service delivery operation by simulating interactions of multiple events are provided. Method and system, in one aspect, simulate a plurality of events associated with a resource-based service delivery operation and allow the plurality of events to interact through a resource availability outlook. The plurality of events may include events of execution of service engagement and at least one or more of demand planning of service engagement, supply planning of resources, attrition of resources, termination of resource, or combinations of thereof.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for improving project risk management based on (a) a quantitative analysis of risks affecting activities, i.e., the root factors leading to cost and time overruns on an activity by activity basis, and (b) an optimization of the resources allocation to each activity in the project plan, is employed to maximize the probability of completing projects on time and within-budget. The method can be employed prior to proceeding with one or more projects, but is also advantageous in that it is adaptive in the sense that more information can be learned during the course of a project about the risk factors present in the project, and this information is used to enable dynamically re-allocating resources to ensure a better outcome given an updated risk profile. Preferably, a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) is used to capture how risk factors identified by project managers influence individual activity durations.

Abstract: A value-based framework is used for managing inventory. This framework allows firms to set risk and return targets for inventory related capital investments and operational management. A set of possible inventory investments is generated, and a value of possible inventory investments is then computed. The value of possible inventory investments is computed by first decomposing cash flows associated with the inventory investment into a combination of cash flows that can be represented by a portfolio comprised of long and short positions in an underlying asset. Then a valuation methodology is used to compute the value of each long and short position in the portfolio. The values of each long and short position in the portfolio is summed to determine a value of the portfolio. The value of the inventory investment is set equal to the value of the portfolio. An inventory investment with a best value is selected.

Abstract: A system (and method, and method for deploying computing infrastructure) for planning for development of at least one services solution offering, includes a generating unit that generates an action plan for at least one portion of a development lifecycle of the services solution offering.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for assessing and implementing an organizational transformation. The method includes identifying at least one process area for each management area targeted for assessment and evaluating at least one solution for the at least one process area. A pairing of a solution to a process area results in a functional area. The method further includes performing orthogonal assessments for each functional area. The orthogonal assessments include determining a need for organizational transformation by ranking each of the functional areas according to a perceived need for organizational transformation, evaluating each of the at least one process area against each of the at least one corresponding solution and calculating any performance gaps identified based upon the evaluating, and evaluating an implementation capability for each of the at least one solution. The method also includes presenting results of each of the orthogonal assessments.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action.

Abstract: A method of creating a systems requirement document by using a numerical modeling tool, such as a spreadsheet, to prototype an operational process in terms of a numerical picture of the goals, metrics, performance targets and constraints used by managers of the operational process. A process design blueprint is defined for the operational process, including data sources and data sinks. A representative model of the process design blueprint is created. If the model is not detailed enough for implementation by IT professionals, model objects and data flows are added to the blueprint and the representative model is modified to be consistent with the blueprint. Surrogate calculations may be made for computational task objects or, alternatively, separate process design blueprints may be generated for such computational task objects. This cycle is repeated until the model is detailed enough for implementation.

Abstract: A value-based framework is used for managing inventory. This framework allows firms to set risk and return targets for inventory related capital investments and operational management. A set of possible inventory investments is generated, and a value of possible inventory investments is then computed. The value of possible inventory investments is computed by first decomposing cash flows associated with the inventory investment into a combination of cash flows that can be represented by a portfolio comprised of long and short positions in an underlying asset. Then a valuation methodology is used to compute the value of each long and short position in the portfolio. The values of each long and short position in the portfolio is summed to determine a value of the portfolio. The value of the inventory investment is set equal to the value of the portfolio. An inventory investment with a best value is selected.

Abstract: A method and system of providing business solutions via a dynamic system. In order to provide business solutions, the method and system uses rules to formulate questions based on (i) specific industries, (ii) specific problems and/or (ii) specific answers in response to a dynamic set of questions (metrics), amongst others. These specific solutions may also be quantified in order to provide specific financial benefit analysis to the business using spreadsheets and financial software based on quantitative data provided by the user.