System and Method for Evaluating Sustainability Projects of an Organization

• US 20110060612A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Computer Associates Think Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Computer Associates Think Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koponen, Janne M.P., Clark, Terrence G., Nogueras Alvarez, Fernando, Mercer, James B., Gilbert, Peter J.
• Application Number:
  US12/765,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20110060612A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for evaluating sustainability projects of an organization is disclosed. The method may include retrieving from a computer system a sustainability objective of the organization. In certain embodiments, the method may include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of project submissions of the organization. Each of the plurality of project submissions may be associated with the sustainability objective of the organization. The method may further include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions. In particular embodiments, the method may include generating at the computer system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization. The displayable output may comprise a plurality of second scores. Each of the plurality of second scores may be associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions. In addition, each of the plurality of second scores may be based at least in part on at least one of the plurality of first scores. The method may further include storing in the computer system an identification of one or more potential projects from among the plurality of project submissions. Each potential project may be adapted to advance the sustainability objective of the organization. At least one of the one or more potential projects may have a highest comparative second score of the plurality of second scores.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for evaluating sustainability projects of an organization, the method comprising:

retrieving from a computer system a sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieving from the computer system a plurality of project submissions of the organization, each of the plurality of project submissions associated with the sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieving from the computer system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions;

generating at the computer system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization, the displayable output comprising a plurality of second scores, and each of the plurality of second scores being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions; and

storing in the computer system an identification of one or more potential projects from among the plurality of project submissions, each potential project adapted to advance the sustainability objective of the organization, at least one of the one or more potential projects having a highest comparative second score of the plurality of second scores.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sustainability objective is selected from the group consisting of:

reducing a carbon footprint;

increasing energy use efficiency;

reducing energy consumption; and

increasing renewable energy production.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of project submissions are submitted by one or more sources external to the computer system using one or more web pages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of first scores are submitted by one or more sources external to the computer system using one or more web pages.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing at the computer system one or more weights each applied to at least one of the plurality of first scores.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing at the computer system a request to modify the one or more potential projects.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at the computer system a risk attribute characterizing a risk associated with at least one of the one or more potential projects, the risk attribute selected from the group consisting of:

funding capabilities;

technical complexities of one or more sustainability projects; and

environmental impact of various activities.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at the computer system one or more compliance requirements associated with a respective one of the one or more potential projects, the identifying comprising querying a database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a graphical user interface logically structured to facilitate browsing the plurality of project submissions.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with software operable, when executed by at least one processor, to:

retrieve from a computer system a sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieve from the computer system a plurality of project submissions of the organization, each of the plurality of project submissions associated with the sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieve from the computer system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions;

generate at the computer system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization, the displayable output comprising a plurality of second scores, each of the plurality of second scores being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions; and

store in the computer system an identification of one or more potential projects from among the plurality of project submissions, each potential project adapted to advance the sustainability objective of the organization, at least one of the one or more potential projects having a highest comparative second score of the plurality of second scores.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of project submissions are submitted by one or more sources external to the computer system using one or more web pages;

and

wherein at least a subset of the plurality of first scores are submitted by one or more sources external to the computer system using one or more web pages.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to process one or more weights each applied to a respective one of the plurality of first scores.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to process a request to modify the one or more potential projects.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to identify a risk attribute characterizing a risk associated with at least one of the one or more potential projects, the risk attribute selected from the group consisting of:

funding capabilities;

technical complexities of one or more sustainability projects; and

environmental impact of various activities; and

wherein the software is further operable, when executed by the one or more tangible processors, to identify one or more compliance requirements associated with a respective one of the one or more potential projects, the identifying comprising querying a database.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to provide a graphical user interface logically structured to facilitate browsing the plurality of project submissions.

16. A data processing system for evaluating sustainability projects of an organization, the data processing system comprising:

at least one processor; and

one or more memory modules collectively storing;

logic operable, when executed by the at least one processors, to;

retrieve from the data processing system a sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieve from the data processing system a plurality of project submissions of the organization, each of the plurality of project submissions associated with the sustainability objective of the organization;

retrieve from the data processing system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions;

generate at the data processing system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization, the displayable output comprising a plurality of second scores, and each of the plurality of second scores being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions; and

store in the data processing system an identification of one or more potential projects from among the plurality of project submissions, each potential project adapted to advance the sustainability objective of the organization, at least one of the one or more potential projects having a highest comparative second score of the plurality of second scores.

17. The data processing system of claim 16, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of project submissions are submitted by one or more sources external to the data processing system using one or more web pages;

and

wherein at least a subset of the plurality of first scores are submitted by one or more sources external to the data processing system using one or more web pages.

18. The data processing system of claim 16, wherein the logic is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to process a request to modify the one or more potential projects.

19. The data processing system of claim 16, wherein the logic is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to:

identify a risk attribute characterizing a risk associated with at least one of the one or more potential projects, the risk attribute selected from the group consisting of;

funding capabilities;

technical complexities of one or more sustainability projects; and

environmental impact of various activities; and

identify one or more compliance requirements associated with a respective one of the one or more potential projects, the identifying comprising querying a database.

20. The data processing system of claim 16, wherein the logic is further operable, when executed by the at least one processor, to provide a graphical user interface logically structured to facilitate browsing the plurality of project submissions.