IP Library Granted Patent US 7,313,531
Granted Patent B2
US 7,313,531 · App. 09/998,474 · Granted Dec 25, 2007

Method and system for quantitatively assessing project risk and effectiveness

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,313,531
App. No.
09/998,474
Granted
Dec 25, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for assessing risk of a change proposal on a project development, and effectiveness of a service provider to satisfy a client. The method for assessing risk may include receiving the change proposal requesting one or more amendments to be performed on the project. One or more elements of the project potentially affected upon the change proposal being approved may be identified based on the amendment(s) of the change proposal. Metric(s) indicative of the potential effects on the project based on the identified element(s) may be generated. The method for determining effectiveness may include receiving change proposals. A frequency of receipt of the change proposals being received during the course of the project may be monitored to determine effectiveness of the service provider in satisfying the client.

Claims (28)

1. A method for assessing risk on a project associated with at least one change proposal directed toward the project, the project being developed by a service provider for a client, said method comprising:

receiving, from the client by the service provider, the at least one change proposal directed toward the project during a life cycle of the project, the change proposal requesting at least one amendment to be performed to the project being developed by the service provider;

identifying, based on the at least one amendment request, at least one artifact of the project to be potentially affected upon the change proposal being adopted; and

generating at least one metric indicative of the potential effects on the project based on said identifying the at least one artifact, the at least one metric providing an objective risk assessment for the service provider to provide the client and for allowing the service provider and the client to assess both direct and indirect risk before the at least one change proposal is adopted and to objectively make an informed business decision as to whether or not to adopt the at least one change proposal.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one metric includes a statistical value.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said generating includes performing a regression analysis.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the service provider is at least one of a consultant and a contractor.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the project is at least one of a document and a product.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said identifying includes determining an artifact to be amended.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said identifying the at least one artifact includes counting descendants of the artifact to be amended.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one metric includes a numerical representation of at least one of direct and indirect artifacts affected by the change proposal.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the project is a requirements specification.

10. A system for assessing risk on a project associated with at least one change proposal directed toward the project, the project being developed by a service provider for a client, said system comprising:

means for receiving, from the client by the service provider, the at least one change proposal directed toward the project during a life cycle of the project, the at least one change proposal requesting at least one amendment to be performed to the project being developed by the service provider;

means for identifying, based on the at least one amendment request, at least one artifact of the project to be potentially affected upon the change proposal being adopted; and

means for generating at least one metric indicative of the potential effects on the project based on said identifying the at least one artifact, the at least one metric providing an objective risk assessment for the service provider to provide the client and for allowing the service provider and the client to assess both direct and indirect risk before the at least one change proposal is adopted and to objectively make an informed business decision as to whether or not to adopt the at least one change proposal.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one metric includes a statistical value.

12. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the means for generating includes performing a regression analysis.

13. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the service provider is at least one of a consultant and a contractor.

14. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the project is at least one of a document and a product.

15. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the project is a requirements specification.

16. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the means for identifying includes determining an artifact to be amended.

17. The system according to claim 16 , wherein the means for identifying the at least one artifact includes counting descendants of the artifact to be amended.

18. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one metric includes a numerical representation of at least one of direct and indirect artifacts affected by the change proposal.

19. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

receive, from a client by a service provider, at least one change proposal directed toward a project during a life cycle of the project, the project being developed by the service provider for the client, the at least one change proposal requesting at least one amendment to be performed to the project;

identify, based on the at least one amendment request, at least one artifact of the project to be potentially affected upon the change proposal being adopted; and

generate at least one metric indicative of the potential effects on the project based on said identifying the at least one artifact, the at least one metric providing an objective risk assessment for the service provider to provide the client and for allowing the service provider and the client to assess both direct and indirect risk before the at least one change proposal is adopted and to objectively make an informed business decision as to whether or not to adopt the at least one change proposal.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL USA L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 26, 2017
From: DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: NTT DATA SERVICES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042346/0831 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040564/0886 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Nov 4, 2016
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; AVENTAIL LLC; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040564/0897 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 3, 2015
From: PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037198/0430 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATES, PREVIOUSLY RECORDE ON REEL 012344 FRAME 0586 Recorded Mar 21, 2002
From: CHAPPEL, OSCAR A.; CREEL, CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
To: PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 012706/0042 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2001
From: CHAPPEL, OSCAR A.; CREEL, CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
To: PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 012344/0586 →