METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND SYSTEM FOR DEFINING, MEASURING AND MAXIMIZING RELATIONSHIP ALIGNMENT AND MATURITY

• US 20080275745A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Paradis
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Paradis
• Inventors: Paradis, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US12/032,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20080275745A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management

Abstract

A method, computer program product and system for systematically defining, measuring, and maximizing relationship capabilities and the maturity levels thereof and providing the most efficient alignment improvement pathway for individual relationships contained therein, is provided. The present invention is adaptable for use with any relationship, including inter-personal relationships. A particular adaptation includes use of the invention to maximize the success of a customer-based relationship comprising eight key customer-focused business functions that are measured and systematically prioritized for efficient improvement and alignment with needs and expectations.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing relationship success by defining, measuring and maximizing maturity of functions, capabilities and alignment between the parties to the relationship, the method comprising:

establishing at least one competency for the relationship;

establishing at least one relationship function within the at least one competency;

establishing at least one capability within the at least one relationship function;

arranging the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability in a framework;

ensuring unbroken interdependency within the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability;

defining the at least one capability;

providing questions from more than one user that assess the maturity level of the at least one capability;

storing answers to the questions;

analyzing the answers; and

providing maturity level scores for the at least one capability and for the at least one relationship function and for the relationship.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying weaknesses and/or strengths within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising prioritizing improvement of the identified weaknesses within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function using the interdependency of the at least one capability;

and reassessing the maturity level scores to determine improvements and maximize relationship alignment.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the maturity level scores to optimize alignment within the relationship by combining more than one user within a group or team, the more than one user having complementary maturity level scores.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing four relationship competencies;

providing eight relationship functions;

providing thirty-two capabilities within the relationship functions; and

arranging the competencies, relationship functions and capabilities within a framework with interdependency.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the relationship comprises a business and a customer of the business.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

identifying the optimal alignment of the relationship; and

managing the optimal outcomes by maximizing the alignment of the relationship through the interdependency of the relationship functions and capabilities.

8. A method for optimizing relationship success by measuring maturity of functions, capabilities and alignment between the parties to the relationship, the method comprising:

establishing at thirty-two capabilities;

arranging the thirty-two capabilities in a framework;

ensuring unbroken interdependency within the capabilities arranged in the framework; and

defining the capabilities.

9. A computer program product for measuring and maximizing alignment and maturity levels within relationships, comprising:

computer code for establishing at least one competency for the relationship within a framework;

computer code for establishing at least one relationship function within the at least one competency within a framework;

computer code for establishing at least one capability within the at least one relationship function within a framework;

computer code for arranging the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability within the framework;

computer code for ensuring unbroken interdependency within the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability within the framework;

computer code for defining the at least one capability by providing questions to more than one user within the relationship that assess the maturity level of the at least one capability;

computer code for analyzing the answers; and

computer code for providing maturity level scores for the at least one capability and for the at least one relationship function and for the relationship.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising computer code for identifying weaknesses and/or strengths within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising computer code for prioritizing improvement of the identified weaknesses within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function using the interdependency of the at least one capability;

and

providing computer code for reassessing the maturity level scores to determine improvements and maximize relationship alignment.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising computer code for using the maturity level scores to optimize alignment within the relationship by combining more than one user within a group or team, the more than one user having complementary maturity level scores.

13. A system for measuring and maximizing alignment and maturity levels within relationships, comprising, comprising:

A display;

A computer operatively connected to the display; and

computer code for establishing at least one competency for the relationship within a framework;

computer code for establishing at least one relationship function within the at least one competency within a framework;

computer code for establishing at least one capability within the at least one relationship function within a framework;

computer code for arranging the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability within the framework;

computer code for ensuring unbroken interdependency within the at least one relationship function and the at least one capability within the framework;

computer code for providing questions from more than one user that assess the maturity level of the at least one capability;

computer code for analyzing the answers; and

computer code for providing maturity level scores for the at least one capability and for the at least one relationship function and for the relationship.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising computer code for identifying weaknesses and/or strengths within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising computer code for prioritizing improvement of the identified weaknesses within the at least one capability and the at least one relationship function using the interdependency of the at least one capability;

and

providing computer code for reassessing the maturity level scores to determine improvements and maximize relationship alignment.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a remote server operatively connected to the computer, the computer code housed within the remote server and accessible to the user via the internet.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising computer code for using the maturity level scores to optimize alignment within the relationship by combining more than one user within a group or team, the more than one user having complementary maturity level scores.