Statistical Determination of Multi-Dimensional Targets

• US 20080172348A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hulen, Corey, Lim, Chen-I, Tien, Ian, Tomai, Catalin
• Application Number:
  US11/623,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172348A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities

Abstract

Users are enabled to use statistical prediction algorithms to set key performance indicator targets based on a variety of considerations allowing them to take into account more quantitative factors in prediction, increase return-on-investment of data assets, increase consistency, and save time and cost in the target setting process. Upon selection of a scorecard, users are provided with a series of user interfaces enabling them to select metrics and data ranges, as well as to set and/or modify configurations associated with prediction algorithms for the selected data and report presentation parameters. Data mining may then be performed based on the selected data and configuration settings resulting in rendering of reports based on the data mining result set(s).

Claims

1. A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for statistically analyzing multi-dimensional performance metrics, the method comprising:

receiving a user selection of a performance metric;

receiving a user selection of a data range for the performance metric;

retrieving scorecard data based on the selected performance metric and data range;

receiving a user selection for configuration parameters associated with a statistical analysis on the scorecard data; and

performing the statistical analysis on the scorecard data based on the selected configuration parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user selection of the performance metric includes:

receiving a user selection of a scorecard;

providing a choice of available performance metrics associated with the selected scorecard; and

receiving the user selection of the performance metric.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one target value associated with the performance metric based on a result of the statistical analysis, wherein the target value is determined employing one of a single step process and an iterative process.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user selection for a layout configuration of a report based on a result of the statistical analysis; and

rendering the report.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing a plurality of choices for the layout configuration selection based on a type of the statistical analysis and a type of the report.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the scorecard data is received from at least one data source that includes one from a set of:

a spreadsheet, a document library, a database, and a data cube, and wherein the report includes at least one from a set of;

a chart, a graphic, a grid of numbers, and a three dimensional visualization.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a choice of configuration parameters for the statistical analysis that include a model for data mining and a correlation specification between selected performance metrics.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the model includes one from a set of neural nets, regression, rules-based representation, and Bayesian algorithm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameters for the statistical analysis also include resource-based settings comprising a time processing timeout and a server load balancing configuration.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the statistical analysis is performed on at least one from a set of:

the scorecard data, scores, and calculations associated with the scorecard.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing choices for specifying the data range based on one of;

a dimension of the scorecard, a default level, a start and an end member, a start member and a distance, and an explicit member selection.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the start and the end members are at different levels.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein a lag period at different levels is determined by one of:

approximation based on child members, explicit definition based on member attributes, and computation based on Gregorian calendar.

14. A system for statistically analyzing multi-dimensional performance metrics, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform actions including;

provide a user interface for a subscriber to select among available scorecards;

in response to receiving a scorecard selection, provide a user interface for the subscriber to select among available performance metrics;

provide a user interface for the subscriber to specify a data range associated with each selected performance metric;

retrieve scorecard data based on the selected performance metrics and specified data ranges;

provide a user interface for the subscriber to specify configuration parameters associated with a statistical analysis on the retrieved scorecard data; and

perform the statistical analysis on the scorecard data based on the specified configuration parameters.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the specified configuration parameters and at least a portion of the scorecard data to a data mining engine to perform at least a portion of the statistical analysis.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to configure the statistical analysis based on at least one from a set of:

a subscriber-specified timeout, a default timeout, a system resource availability, and a subscriber-specified load balance configuration.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a subscriber selection for a layout configuration of a report based on a result of the statistical analysis;

and render the report based on the layout configuration selection, a type of the statistical analysis, and a type of the report.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a result of the statistical analysis to at least one from a set of:

an alerting application, a workflow application, and a scheduling application.

19. A computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon for statistically analyzing multi-dimensional performance metrics, the instructions comprising:

providing a user interface for selecting among available scorecards;

in response to receiving a scorecard selection, providing a user interface for selecting among available performance metrics;

providing a user interface for specifying a data range associated with each selected performance metric;

retrieving scorecard data based on the selected performance metrics and specified data ranges;

providing a user interface for specifying configuration parameters associated with a statistical analysis on the retrieved scorecard data;

providing a user interface for specifying configuration parameters associated with a layout of a report based on a result of the statistical analysis;

performing the statistical analysis on the scorecard data based on the specified configuration parameters; and

rendering the report based on the result of the statistical analysis and the specified layout configuration parameters.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the configuration parameters for the statistical analysis include at least one future period to predict.