Abstract: A method and system for scoring and ranking a plurality of component links in a social technical system having a plurality of components representing people and objects are provided. In one aspect, a degree of consistency relative to two or more people working on one or more objects and dependencies between the objects is determined to derive scores for the component links. The method and system identifies gaps in the link and determines the impact of filling the gaps. In another aspect, component links may be ranked and scores aggregated to provide system level quantifications.

Abstract: A method and system constructs a socio-technical network representing design and development processes. In one aspect, a network of inter-personal interactions comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing actors in design and development process is established; an artifacts network comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing a plurality of heterogeneous artifact types is established; one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions are determined; one or more relationships between the nodes of the artifacts network are determined; and one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions and the nodes of the artifacts network are determined.

Abstract: System, method and graphical user interface for a simulation base calculator provides one or more selectable distribution models. One or more input fields are provided for inputting rules with one or more random variables. A processing module inputs one or more of the selectable distribution models and the rules into a simulator running on the system. An output field is provided for displaying one or more aspects of a result determined by the model run on the simulator.

Abstract: The present invention can include a method for handling the uncertainty of input variables in the calculation of the net present value (NPV) of a project that utilizes a Monte Carlo approach. Such a method can begin by expressing the equation for the net present value (NPV) in a probabilistic form. The probabilistic form can allow for the input variables to be treated as random variables with triangular distributions. Various equation parameters for the probabilistic NPV equation can be defined. A Monte Carlo computational algorithm can be executed that utilizes the probabilistic NPV equation and the defined equation parameters to produce multiple probabilistic NPV distributions. For each probabilistic NPV distribution, a mean value and a standard deviation can be ascertained. The mean value can represent the present value (PV) of the project and the standard deviation can represent the associated risk of the project.

Abstract: Method and system for determining estimation variance associated with project planning are provided. In one aspect, information associated with a project is obtained and initial estimations for the tasks in the project are determined using available information. The tasks are performed and actual measurements are obtained from the completed tasks. The actual measurements are used to revise the estimates of the remaining tasks. The revised estimates are used to compute a project level estimate and a variance on that estimate, and to enable better project management.

Abstract: A method and system constructs a socio-technical network representing design and development processes. In one aspect, a network of inter-personal interactions comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing actors in design and development process is established; an artifacts network comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing a plurality of heterogeneous artifact types is established; one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions are determined; one or more relationships between the nodes of the artifacts network are determined; and one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions and the nodes of the artifacts network are determined.

Abstract: A method and system for scoring and ranking a plurality of component links in a social technical system having a plurality of components representing people and objects are provided. In one aspect, a degree of consistency relative to two or more people working on one or more objects and dependencies between the objects is determined to derive scores for the component links. The method and system identifies gaps in the link and determines the impact of filling the gaps. In another aspect, component links may be ranked and scores aggregated to provide system level quantifications.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of encoding a dirty bit within plural bit control data for controlling an operation by a computer graphics system to simultaneously indicate reset or clear of data for a pixel in the system to quickly update a frame on a screen in an animation application are disclosed. Flexibility of the encoding dirty bits and a trade-off among a relative size of a set of control data available for the system to control the operation are easily achieved by the apparatus and the method.