Patent Application
20070038501
The invention relates generally to a method and system for managing business solutions, and more particularly, to a method and system that evaluate business solutions based on a corresponding business value for each business solution.
In today's business environment, business clients are increasingly focusing on the value provided by a particular business solution, such as an Information Technology (IT) solution. However, to date, solution providers have concentrated on identifying and explaining the features and/or functionality provided by their business solutions when promoting them. As a result, the business clients and business solutions promotions are increasingly focused on different concerns. Such a disconnect frustrates business clients and solutions promoters, lengthens the sales cycle and can result in lost sales.
International Business Machine Corp. (IBM)'s component business modeling (CBM) approach provides one solution for modeling a business. CBM is a technique for modeling an enterprise as non-overlapping business components in order to examine and analyze the enterprise to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. A business component is a logical view of part of an enterprise that includes the resources, people, technology and know-how necessary to deliver some value (e.g., product or service). The business component can provide the value to one or more other business components/external parties and/or use the value provided by one or more other business components/external suppliers. One characteristic of a business component is that a user of its value (e.g., product or service) does not need to be aware of how the business component works, e.g., its people, processes, technology, etc. To this extent, the user only needs to know relevant properties of the service/product itself, e.g., price, agreed service level, terms and conditions, etc.
CBM can be used to generate a business component map. A business component map is a tabular view of the business components in the scope of interest.
A business component can also be characterized by associating it with a set of business activities. A business activity is simply something the enterprise does, specified at a level that the enterprise considers to be appropriate. Business activities can also be mapped into business component map 2. To this extent, one solution for identifying business components includes allocating business activities into the corresponding cells in business component map 2 and grouping the business activities in each cell into one or more business components.
In general, a business component model includes the business competencies, business components, business services and the corresponding relationships that describe a particular enterprise or industry. To this extent, there are several types of business component models: an enterprise component model describes a particular enterprise; an industry component model describes a generic enterprise in an industry; a universal component model describes a generic cross-industry enterprise; and an industry ecosystem component model describes an entire industry.
However, CBM's usefulness in evaluating a proposed business solution is limited. For example, CBM does not include a mechanism to obtain a business value for the proposed business solution. To this extent, a need exists for an improved solution for evaluating business solutions that addresses these needs and/or other needs not expressly discussed herein.
The invention provides an improved solution for managing a set of business solutions. In one embodiment, a business pain point is obtained for a target enterprise and one or more business solutions are generated based on the business pain point and a business model for the target enterprise. Regardless, each business solution includes one or more modifications to one or more business concerns for the target enterprise. A value model that comprises a value for each of the business concerns is used to determine a business value that is anticipated to be provided by each business solution. The business solutions can then be prioritized based on their business values. The business solutions can be reviewed and compared, and one or more can be selected for implementation. After implementation, the actual business value can be measured and if necessary, one or more adjustments to the value model can be made. As a result, the invention enables business solutions to be compared based on their anticipated business value, rather than their features/functionality. Further, the invention can provide a closed loop solution for identifying, deploying and evaluating business solutions, improving the accuracy of future evaluations, as well as providing a base for improving the future design of the business solution.
A first aspect of the invention provides a method of evaluating a set of business solutions, the method comprising: obtaining the set of business solutions, wherein each of the set of business solutions comprises at least one modification to a set of business concerns for a target enterprise; obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; and determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A second aspect of the invention provides a system for evaluating a set of business solutions, the system comprising: a system for obtaining the set of business solutions, wherein each of the set of business solutions comprises at least one modification to a set of business concerns for a target enterprise; a system for obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; and a system for determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A third aspect of the invention provides a program product stored on a computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer infrastructure to evaluate a set of business solutions, the program product comprising computer program code for enabling the computer infrastructure to perform the steps of: obtaining the set of business solutions, wherein each of the set of business solutions comprises at least one modification to a set of business concerns for a target enterprise; obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; and determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of managing a set of business solutions, the method comprising: obtaining a business pain point for a target enterprise; obtaining a business model for the target enterprise, wherein the business model includes a set of business concerns; obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; identifying a set of target business concerns associated with the business pain point based on the business model; identifying a set of shortfalls in the set of target business concerns; generating the set of business solutions to address the set of shortfalls; and determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A fifth aspect of the invention provides a system for managing a set of business solutions, the system comprising: a system for obtaining a business pain point for a target enterprise; a system for obtaining a business model for the target enterprise, wherein the business model includes a set of business concerns; a system for obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; a system for identifying a set of target business concerns associated with the business pain point based on the business model; a system for identifying a set of shortfalls in the set of target business concerns; a system for generating the set of business solutions to address the set of shortfalls; and a system for determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A sixth aspect of the invention provides a program product stored on a computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer infrastructure to manage a set of business solutions, the program product comprising computer program code for enabling the computer infrastructure to perform the steps of: obtaining a business pain point for a target enterprise; obtaining a business model for the target enterprise, wherein the business model includes a set of business concerns; obtaining a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; identifying a set of target business concerns associated with the business pain point based on the business model; identifying a set of shortfalls in the set of target business concerns; generating the set of business solutions to address the set of shortfalls; and determining a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A seventh aspect of the invention provides a business method for managing a set of business solutions, the business method comprising managing a computer infrastructure that performs one or more of the steps of the invention; and receiving payment based on the managing step.
An eighth aspect of the invention provides a method of generating a system for evaluating a set of business solutions, the method comprising: providing a computer infrastructure operable to: obtain the set of business solutions, wherein each of the set of business solutions comprises at least one modification to a set of business concerns for a target enterprise; obtain a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; and determine a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
A ninth aspect of the invention provides a method of generating a system for managing a set of business solutions, the method comprising: providing a computer infrastructure operable to: obtain a business pain point for a target enterprise; obtain a business model for the target enterprise, wherein the business model includes a set of business concerns; obtain a value model that comprises a value for each of the set of business concerns; identify a set of target business concerns associated with the business pain point based on the business model; identify a set of shortfalls in the set of target business concerns; generate the set of business solutions to address the set of shortfalls; and determine a business value for each of the set of business solutions based on the value model.
The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve the problems herein described and other problems not discussed, which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:
It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
As indicated above, the invention provides an improved solution for managing a set of business solutions. In one embodiment, a business pain point is obtained for a target enterprise and one or more business solutions are generated based on the business pain point and a business model for the target enterprise. Regardless, each business solution includes one or more modifications to one or more business concerns for the target enterprise. A value model that comprises a value for each of the business concerns is used to determine a business value that is anticipated to be provided by each business solution. The business solutions can then be prioritized based on their business values. The business solutions can be reviewed and compared, and one or more can be selected for implementation. After implementation, the actual business value can be measured and if necessary, one or more adjustments to the value model can be made. As a result, the invention enables business solutions to be compared based on their anticipated business value, rather than their features/functionality. Further, the invention can provide a closed loop solution for identifying, deploying and evaluating business solutions, improving the accuracy of future evaluations, as well as providing a base for improving the future design of the business solution.
Turning to the drawings,
Computing device 14 is shown including a processor 20, a memory 22A, an input/output (I/O) interface 24, and a bus 26. Further, computing device 14 is shown in communication with an external I/O device/resource 28 and a storage system 22B. As is known in the art, in general, processor 20 executes computer program code, such as management system 30, that is stored in memory 22A and/or storage system 22B. While executing computer program code, processor 20 can read and/or write data, such as a business model template 58, to/from memory 22A, storage system 22B, and/or I/O interface 24. Bus 26 provides a communications link between each of the components in computing device 14. I/O device 28 can comprise any device that enables user 16 to interact with computing device 14 or any device that enables computing device 14 to communicate with one or more other computing devices.
In any event, computing device 14 can comprise any general purpose computing article of manufacture capable of executing computer program code installed by a user 16 (e.g., a personal computer, server, handheld device, etc.). However, it is understood that computing device 14 and management system 30 are only representative of various possible equivalent computing devices that may perform the various process steps of the invention. To this extent, in other embodiments, computing device 14 can comprise any specific purpose computing article of manufacture comprising hardware and/or computer program code for performing specific functions, any computing article of manufacture that comprises a combination of specific purpose and general purpose hardware/software, or the like. In each case, the program code and hardware can be created using standard programming and engineering techniques, respectively.
Similarly, computer infrastructure 12 is only illustrative of various types of computer infrastructures for implementing the invention. For example, in one embodiment, computer infrastructure 12 comprises two or more computing devices (e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over any type of wired and/or wireless communications link, such as a network, a shared memory, or the like, to perform the various process steps of the invention. When the communications link comprises a network, the network can comprise any combination of one or more types of networks (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a virtual private network, etc.). Regardless, communications between the computing devices may utilize any combination of various types of transmission techniques. Further, user 16 can utilize another computing device (not shown) in communication with computer infrastructure 12 over any type of communications link, such as the Internet, to manage business solution(s) 52 using management system 30.
As previously mentioned and discussed further below, management system 30 enables computing infrastructure 12 to manage business solution(s) 52. To this extent, management system 30 is shown including an enterprise system 32, a solution system 34, a valuation system 36, a presentation system 38, and a monitoring system 40. Operation of each of these systems is discussed further below. However, it is understood that some of the various systems shown in
Regardless, the invention provides a solution for managing business solution(s) 52. In one embodiment, the invention provides a solution for evaluating a set of business solutions 52 based on a business value 54 that corresponds to each business solution 52. In particular, each business solution 52 can be generated in response to one or more business pain points 50 for a target enterprise. A business pain point 50 can comprise any business area that the target enterprise seeks to implement and/or improve. For example, business pain point 50 can comprise a business problem, a goal of increasing value (e.g., shareholder value), a goal of improving profitability, a new business area/solution, and the like. The target enterprise can comprise any type of entity including, for example, a government agency, a private/public business, an educational entity, etc. To this extent, the target enterprise can conduct any type of business or operation.
In any event,
In step S2, enterprise system 32 can obtain a business model 56 for the target enterprise. Business model 56 comprises any type of representation of the operations performed by the target enterprise. To this extent, business model 56 can include a set of business concerns for the target enterprise. A business concern comprises any type of element used to represent some aspect of the target enterprise. For example, a business concern can comprise an element that represents a business process, a business activity, a business component, a resource, or the like. Further, a business concern can comprise an element that represents a relationship between two or more other business concerns. In one embodiment, business model 56 is developed using IBM's component business modeling (CBM) approach. However, it is understood that this is only illustrative, and any type of business model 56 can be used.
Enterprise system 32 can obtain business model 56 from another system and/or can enable a user 16 to create and/or edit the business model 56. In the latter case, enterprise system 32 can obtain business model 56 by first obtaining business information for the target enterprise, and then building business model 56 in a machine understandable language (e.g., extensible markup language) to facilitate further processing of business model 56. To this extent, enterprise system 32 can enable user 16 to select one of a plurality of business model templates 58 from which business model 56 can be generated. For example, each business model template 58 can comprise a default business model for a particular type of business (e.g., insurance, banking, etc.). When few details are known about the target enterprise, user 16 can use enterprise system 32 to select a business model template 58 based on the type of business of the target enterprise, and the business model template 58 can be used as the business model 56 for the target enterprise. Subsequently, user 16 can use enterprise system 32 to adjust the business model template 58 based on feedback from the target enterprise. For example, user 16 can discuss the various business concerns of the target enterprise and make any corresponding adjustments to business model template 58. In this manner, user 16 can use enterprise system 32 to generate a business model 56 that accurately represents the particular target enterprise.
In one embodiment, enterprise system 32 generates business model 56 using an expansion of IBM's CBM approach. To this extent, enterprise system 32 can merge and extend aspects of both CBM and model-driven business transformation (MDBT) approaches to generate a business model 56 that can be used to identify related business components and be utilized in a value-driven business transformation. MDBT provides a multi-layer model that links business semantics with enterprise infrastructure, such as an information technology (IT) architecture, semantics.
To this extent, enterprise system 32 can define an enhanced CBM metamodel that captures the benefits of both the CBM and MDBT approaches. For example,
Returning to
In this manner, solution system 34 can use simple semantic queries, derive values of a component from the values of entities associated with the component, and so enable root-cause or impact analysis, and extend the analysis to a larger set of value drivers and/or KPIs. Further, solution system 34 can generate one or more displays that depict information on business pain point 50 and/or the various business concerns. For example,
Additionally, solution system 34 can generate a heat map that comprises a business component map annotated with evaluation information. To this extent,
In any event, returning to
In one embodiment, solution system 34 can generate an overlay of one or more components of an enterprise infrastructures, such as an IT architecture, with the business component map. For example,
Returning to
In this manner, the invention can include a model-driven business transformation solution. In particular, business transformation (e.g., business solution(s) 52) is generated based on a business model 56 for the target enterprise and/or recommended processes. It is understood that the invention can be implemented independent of the generation of business solution(s) 52. To this extent, solution system 34 can obtain the set of business solutions 52 from another system that generates and/or modifies the business solution(s) 52 using any solution.
One embodiment of the invention provides a value-driven evaluation of the set of business solutions 52. To this extent, in step S6, valuation system 36 can obtain a value model 60 that comprises a value for each business concern in business model 56. Valuation system 36 can generate and/or modify value model 60 and/or obtain value model 60 from another system that manages value model(s) 60. In any event, value model 60 can comprise any type of model that assigns a value to a particular business concern. For example, value model 60 can assign the value as a relative percentage increase/decrease to the value obtained by the business concern when one or more attributes are increased/decreased. Further, value model 60 can include relationship information for the various business concerns. The relationship information can define a percentage contribution, or the like, that one business concern provides for another business concern. Additional information, such as an error margin, high/low value range, or the like, can also be included in value model 60. In one embodiment, value model 60 is generated as described in the co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. END920050106US1), filed on Aug. 10, 2005, and entitled “Value Model”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, it is understood that this is only illustrative and any value model 60 can be used.
In step S7, valuation system 36 can determine a business value 54 for each business solution 52 based on value model 60. In particular, for each modification to a business concern included in a business solution 52, value model 60 can be used to determine a value that the modification will yield. Subsequently, the values can be combined to determine the business value for the business solution 52. It is understood that value model 60 can include aggregate information on one or more combinations of modifications. In this case, when combining values, the aggregate information can be used to determine the combined value of the modifications (e.g., a synergistic/cannibalistic effect). In any event, the values can be combined (e.g., summed or using another mathematical model) to yield the business value 54 for business solution 52.
As a result, the invention provides a solution for evaluating business solution(s) 52 based on the business value 54 that each business solution 52 will provide to the target enterprise. Using this information, the target enterprise can make various decisions on how/when/if to implement the business solution(s) 52. To this extent, valuation system 36 can be implemented as part of a larger system that manages various additional aspects of business solutions 52.
For example,
In step S9, presentation system 38 can provide the set of business solutions 52 for review by, for example, user 16. For example, presentation system 38 can generate an interface that displays and/or compares the set of business solutions 52 and the corresponding business value 54 of each. Further, additional information, such as the cost/time to implement, etc., can also be displayed. User 16 can comprise any individual interested in and having permission to view the set of business solutions 52. For example, user 16 could comprise an information technology (IT) officer that is seeking business solutions 52 to improve the IT infrastructure for the target enterprise. Similarly, user 16 could comprise a service provider that is performing an external audit of the target enterprise to identify key areas for improvement.
Regardless, in step S10, user 16 can use presentation system 38 to select one or more of the business solution(s) 52 for implementation. In particular, user 16 can input his/her selection(s) into the interface described above, which can subsequently be received and processed by presentation system 38. In one embodiment, presentation system 38 can provide the selection(s) to a deployment system 42. Deployment system 42 can perform the required scheduling, ordering, etc., that will be required in order to implement the business solution(s) 52. In step S11, deployment system 42 can implement the business solution(s) 52 for the target enterprise.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an improved solution for performing “needs” identification and solution delivery within a portion (e.g., an IT infrastructure) of a target enterprise. To this extent, a service provider can perform steps S1-S9 as part of the needs identification. As noted above, needs identification can comprise the identification and translation of business pain point(s) 50 into one or more possible business solutions 52. Further, a business value 54 can be determined for each business solution 52. Subsequently, the service provider and/or another solution provider can perform steps S10-S11 as part of the solution delivery portion. In particular, one or more business solutions 52 can be selected, e.g., with the assistance of the corresponding business values 54, and can be implemented for the target enterprise.
Further, the invention can include monitoring business solution(s) 52 after implementation for a target enterprise.
In step S13, as the target enterprise uses the business solution(s) 52, monitoring system 40 can measure an actual business value of the implemented business solution(s) 52 for the target enterprise. The actual business value can be measured by one or more of various types of metrics. For example, for an IT business solution 52, monitoring system 40 can obtain data on the performance of one or more business concerns that were impacted (e.g., implemented, improved, or the like) by the business solution 52. Similarly, monitoring system 40 can obtain higher level data, such as an impact on profitability, costs, customer satisfaction, etc., for the target enterprise.
In any event, in step S14, monitoring system 40 can compare the actual business value to the predicted business value 54 for the business solution 52 to determine an accuracy of the predicted business value 54. When business value 54 does not match (e.g., is outside of an error margin) the actual business value, then in step S15, valuation system 36 can adjust value model 60 based on the measured actual business value. For example, valuation system 36 can adjust the values for one or more business concerns in value model 60, can adjust relationships between two or more business concerns, etc. Valuation system 36 can make the adjustments to a value model 60 for the particular target enterprise and/or to a standard value model 60 that is used by default for other target enterprises.
Regardless, in step S16, monitoring system 40 can determine if one or more additional business pain points 50 are present for the target enterprise. For example, an implemented business solution 52 may have provided less than the predicted business value 54 resulting in a continued business need. Alternatively, the target enterprise may desire to expand into another area. In any event, if an additional business pain point 50 is present, then flow can return to step S1 (
In one embodiment, the need identification, solution delivery and monitoring phases are performed in a closed loop. In this case, monitoring system 40 can obtain data on various performance characteristics of the target enterprise (e.g., the IT infrastructure), and automatically identify one or more business pain points 50. Once identified, monitoring system 40 can provide the business pain points 50 to enterprise system 32 and flow can continue at step S1 (
While shown and described herein as a method and system for evaluating and/or managing a set of business solutions 52, it is understood that the invention further provides various alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer-readable medium that includes computer program code to enable a computer infrastructure to evaluate and/or manage the set of business solutions 52. To this extent, the computer-readable medium includes program code, such as management system 30 (
In another embodiment, the invention provides a business method that performs some or all of the process steps described herein on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as an Application Service Provider, could offer to evaluate and/or manage the set of business solutions 52 (
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of generating a system for evaluating and/or managing the set of business solutions 52 (
As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and “computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after any combination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, program code can be embodied as one or more types of program products, such as an application/software program, component software/a library of functions, an operating system, a basic I/O system/driver for a particular computing and/or I/O device, and the like.
The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
The current application is related to co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. END920050106US1), filed on Aug. 10, 2005, and entitled “Value Model”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
