System and method for characterizing and selecting technology transition options

1. A computer-implemented method for structured development of migration options in a legacy enterprise, the method comprising:

identifying components of the legacy enterprise;

developing risk factors for the components of the legacy enterprise;

identifying unmet opportunities;

developing risk factors for the unmet opportunities;

identifying potential components for the legacy enterprise;

developing risk factors for the potential components of the legacy enterprise;

developing, by a computer, the migration options with associated risks using at least the risk factors for the components, the risk factors for the unmet opportunities and the risk factors for the potential components, and

providing, by a computer, the migration options.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the components of the legacy enterprise are selected from the group consisting of hardware and software.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the unmet opportunities are selected from the group consisting of new hardware, new software and new business methods.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the potential components for the legacy enterprise are selected from the group consisting of hardware and software.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the potential components for the legacy enterprise include conceptual models of undeveloped capabilities.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the risk factors include multiple variables.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the risk factors are selected from the group consisting of cost and schedule.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the migration options with associated risk factors are selected from the group consisting of existing components and conceptual models of undeveloped capabilities.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the associated risks of the migration options are derived from the risk factors for the components of the legacy enterprise, the risk factors for the unmet opportunities, and the risk factors for the potential components of the legacy enterprise.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for structured development of migration options in a legacy enterprise, the code, when executed, causing a computer to:

identify components of the legacy enterprise;

develop risk factors for the components of the legacy enterprise;

identify unmet opportunities;

develop risk factors of the unmet opportunities;

identify potential components for the legacy enterprise;

develop risk factors for the potential components of the legacy enterprise; and

develop the migration options with associated risk using at least the risk factors for the components, the risk factors for the unmet opportunities and the risk factors for the potential components.

11. A programmed computer for structured development of migration options in a legacy enterprise, comprising:

a memory having at least one region for storing computer executable program code; and

a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory;

wherein the processor:

identifies components of the legacy enterprise;

develops risk factors for the components of the legacy enterprise;

identifies unmet opportunities;

develops risk factors for the unmet opportunities;

identifies potential components for the legacy enterprise;

develops risk factors for the potential components of the legacy enterprise; and

develops the migration options with associated risk using at least the risk factors for the components, the risk factors for the unmet opportunities and the risk factors for the potential components.