Decision-making system, method and computer program product

• US 7,596,538 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Owen, Daniel L., Kusnic, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes, Michael B
• Application Number:
  US11/768,861
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 706/46
• US Class Current: 706/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are afforded for providing a collaborative decision platform adapted to run on a computer. Initially, an application capable of performing decision logic is executed. Information is then retrieved from a database in accordance with the decision logic. Information is also received from a user in accordance with the decision logic utilizing a user interface. The information is then processed utilizing the decision logic.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium for providing collaborative decision making based upon a plurality of defined attributes and in association with a decision system adapted to perform operations comprising (i) executing a decision logic application, (ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the decision logic application, (iii) accepting user information through a user interface in accordance with the decision logic application, and (iv) processing the database information and the user information in accordance with the decision logic application for generating output of the processing, the computer program product comprising:

computer code for receiving first information regarding the attributes from a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving second information regarding proposed products or services in terms of the attributes, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

computer code for executing a decision process based on the first information and the second information;

wherein execution of the decision logic application directs the decision system for at least one of a plurality of different purposes, the decision logic application including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application;

wherein execution of the decision logic application directs the decision system through an application interface, the operations being performed using universal modules adapted to interface with different decision logic applications through an interface protocol, for applying the universal modules to at least one of a plurality of different business sectors.

2. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the attributes include at least one of price, sales, variable costs, fixed cost, and investment.

3. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the attributes include price.

4. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the attributes include cost.

5. The computer program product as recited in claim 4, wherein the attributes further include at least one of market share, market size, labor cost, material cost, administrative cost, annual expenses, working capital, planning and equipment.

6. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the first information and second information are received utilizing a network.

7. The computer program product as recited in claim 6, wherein the network is the Internet.

8. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the business sectors include at least one of real estate, medicine, corporate, and financial.

9. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform includes a collaborative decision platform.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a framing module.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include an alternatives modules.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include an analysis module.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a connection module.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision process relates to which produces or services is suitable for the receiving entity.

17. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision process relates to customer relationship management.

18. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface protocol includes a standard interface protocol.

19. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the products or services include products.

20. The computer program product as recited in claim 19, wherein the products include non-existent products.

21. The computer program product as recited in claim 19, wherein the products include existent products.

22. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the products or services include services.

23. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein real-time decision making is provided.

24. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein real-time collaborative decision making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying entity.

25. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein data is collected for generating a decision hierarchy.

26. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein data is collected for generating an influence diagram.

27. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is further capable of delivering presentation information to the user in accordance with the decision logic utilizing the user interface.

28. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform includes an industry independent platform.

29. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the supplying entity provides alternatives in terms of an associated effect on the first information.

30. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a purchase agreement.

31. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a delivery agreement.

32. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium for providing customer-centric collaborative decision making in a framework based upon a plurality of defined attributes and in association with a decision system adapted to perform operations comprising (i) executing a decision logic application, (ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the decision logic application, (iii) accepting user information through a user interface in accordance with the decision logic application, and (iv) processing the database information and the user information in accordance with the decision logic application for generating output of the processing, the computer program product comprising:

computer code for receiving first information regarding the attributes from a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving second information regarding proposed products or services in terms of the attributes, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

computer code for executing a decision process based on the first information and the second information;

wherein execution of the decision logic application directs the operations for at least one of a plurality of different purposes, the decision logic application including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application;

wherein execution of the decision logic application directs the operations through an application interface, the operations being performed using universal modules adapted to interface with different decision logic applications through an interface protocol, for applying the universal modules to different business sectors.

33. The computer program product as recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

34. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for defining a plurality of attributes;

computer code for receiving first information regarding the attributes from a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving second information regarding proposed products or services in terms of the attributes, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

computer code for executing a decision process based on the first information and the second information;

wherein the computer code for defining, receiving the first information, receiving the second information, and executing is executed using a system capable of;

(i) executing an application capable of performing decision logic;

(ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the decision logic;

(iii) receiving user information from a user in accordance with the decision logic utilizing a user interface;

(iv) processing the database information and the user information utilizing the decision logic for generating output of the processing; and

(v) wherein (i)-(iv) are carried out by a decision platform capable of accomplishing (ii)-(iv) for different purposes by executing different applications each capable of performing different decision logic;

wherein an application interface provides an interface between the application and the decision platform, where (ii)-(iv) are carried out using universal modules capable of interfacing with different applications adapted for applying the universal modules to different business sectors, the different applications including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application;

wherein the decision platform communicates with the application through an interface protocol.

35. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the attributes include at least one of price, sales, variable costs, fixed cost, and investment.

36. The computer program product as recited in claim 35, wherein the attributes further include at least one of market share, market size, labor cost, material cost, administrative cost, annual expenses, working capital, planning and equipment.

37. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the first information and second information are received utilizing a network.

38. The computer program product as recited in claim 37, wherein the network is the Internet.

39. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the business sectors include at least one of real estate, medicine, corporate, and financial.

40. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision platform includes a collaborative decision platform.

41. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

42. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include a framing module.

43. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include an alternatives module.

44. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include an analysis module.

45. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include a connection module.

46. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

47. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision process relates to which products or services is suitable for the receiving entity.

48. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision process relates to customer relationship management.

49. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the interface protocol includes a standard interface protocol.

50. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the products or services include products.

51. The computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the products include non-existent products.

52. The computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the products include existent products.

53. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the products or services include services.

54. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein real-time decision making is provided.

55. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein real-time collaborative decision making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying entity.

56. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein data is collected for generating a decision hierarchy.

57. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein data is collected for generating an influence diagram.

58. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the system is further capable of delivering presentation information to the user in accordance with the decision logic utilizing the user interface.

59. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision platform includes an industry independent platform.

60. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the supplying entity provides alternatives in terms of an associated effect on the first information.

61. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a purchase agreement.

62. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a delivery agreement.

63. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application.

64. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

65. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application.

66. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

67. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the supplying entity includes a supplying business.

68. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the receiving entity includes a receiving business.

174. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the attributes include price.

175. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the attributes include cost.

176. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the attributes include material cost.

177. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision platform provides an asynchronous decision-making process.

178. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision process involves a tactic.

179. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision process involves a strategy.

180. The computer program product as recited in claim 34, wherein the decision process involves a policy.

69. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of an application capable of performing decision logic, the application including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application;

computer code for retrieving first information from a database, per the application;

computer code for receiving second information from a user utilizing a user interface, per the application;

computer code for processing the first information and the second information utilizing the decision logic;

computer code for generating at least one of;

a tornado diagram, a decision sensitivity display, a decision hierarchy display, an influence diagram, or a potential feasible hybrid theme.

70. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein at least a portion of the computer coded is carried out using universal modules capable of interfacing with different applications adapted for applying the universal modules differently.

71. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the decision logic is performed in real-time.

72. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the first information is retrieved via a network.

73. The computer program product as recited in claim 72, wherein the network is the Internet.

74. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the second information is received via a network.

75. The computer program product as recited in claim 74, wherein the network is the Internet.

76. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the decision logic is industry-independent.

77. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the decision logic is performed by a collaborative decision platform.

78. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein at least a portion of the computer code is carried out using universal modules capable of interfacing with different applications adapted for applying the universal modules to different business sectors.

79. The computer program product as recited in claim 78, wherein the business sector includes at least one of a real estate-related business sector, medical-related business sector, corporate-related business sector, and financial-related business sector.

80. The computer program product as recited in claim 78, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, or a connection module.

81. The computer program product as recited in claim 80, wherein the universal modules includes the framing module.

82. The computer program product as recited in claim 80, wherein the universal modules include the alternatives module.

83. The computer program product as recited in claim 80, wherein the universal modules include the analysis module.

84. The computer program product as recited in claim 80, wherein the universal modules include the connection module.

85. The computer program product as recited in claim 78, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

86. The computer program product as recited in claim 78, wherein the decision logic relates to which products or services are suitable for a business.

87. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the decision logic relates to customer relationship management.

88. The computer program product as recited in claim 87, wherein the customer includes a business.

89. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, and further comprising computer code for identifying a strategy.

90. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, and further comprising computer code for assessing uncertainties for analysis purposes.

91. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating at least two of:

the tornado diagram, the decision sensitivity display, the decision hierarchy display, the influence diagram, and the potential feasible hybrid theme.

92. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating at least three of:

the tornado diagram, the decision sensitivity display, the decision hierarchy display, the influence diagram, and the potential feasible hybrid theme.

93. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating at least four of:

the tornado diagram, the decision sensitivity display, the decision hierarchy display, the influence diagram, and the potential feasible hybrid theme.

94. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the tornado diagram.

95. The computer program product as recited in claim 94, wherein the tornado diagram identifies sources of risk.

96. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the decision sensitivity display.

97. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display includes a decision sensitivity table.

98. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display includes a decision sensitivity chart.

99. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display shows at least one value associated with a first strategy and at least one value associated with a second strategy.

100. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decisions sensitivity display compares at least one value associated with a strategy.

101. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display identifies sources of value.

102. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display identifies sources of value for each of a plurality of strategies.

103. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display identifies at least one aspect associated with at least one strategy.

104. The computer program product as recited in claim 103, wherein the at least one aspect is associated with value.

105. The computer program product as recited in claim 103, wherein the at least one strategy is pre-defined.

106. The computer program product as recited in claim 103, wherein the at least one strategy is user-defined.

107. The computer program product as recited in claim 106, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being provided a strategy name.

108. The computer program product as recited in claim 106, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a plurality of selections.

109. The computer program product as recited in claim 106, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a selection of stock purchase.

110. The computer program product as recited in claim 106, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a selection of a plurality of alternatives.

111. The computer program product as recited in claim 106, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

112. The computer program product as recited in claim 111, wherein a range associated with the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

113. The computer program product as recited in claim 103, wherein the at least one strategy is a stock purchase strategy.

114. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display identifies at least one aspect associated with a plurality of strategies.

115. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

116. The computer program product as recited in claim 115, and further comprising code for displaying a stock ticker.

117. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the decision sensitivity display shows at least one profit-related value associated with a first strategy and at least one profit-related value associated with a second strategy.

118. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the decision hierarchy display.

119. The computer program product as recited in claim 118, wherein the decision hierarchy display identifies decisions that are within a scope of a decision making process.

120. The computer program product as recited in claim 118, wherein the decision hierarchy display identifies at least one decision associated with at least one strategy.

121. The computer program product as recited in claim 120, wherein at least one strategy is pre-defined.

122. The computer program product as recited in claim 120, wherein the at least one strategy is user-defined.

123. The computer program product as recited in claim 122, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being provided a strategy name.

124. The computer program product as recited in claim 122, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a plurality of selections.

125. The computer program product as recited in claim 122, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by an amount of stock purchase.

126. The computer program product as recited in claim 122, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a selection of a plurality of alternatives.

127. The computer program product as recited in claim 122, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

128. The computer program product as recited in claim 127, wherein a range associated with the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

129. The computer program product as recited in claim 120, wherein the at least one strategy is a stock purchase strategy.

130. The computer program product as recited in claim 118, wherein the decision hierarchy display includes at least one of policies, decisions, or tactics.

131. The computer program product as recited in claim 118, wherein the decision hierarchy display includes at least two of:

policies, decisions, and tactics.

132. The computer program product as recited in claim 118, wherein the decision hierarchy display includes:

policies, decisions, and tactics.

133. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the decision sensitivity display.

134. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the decision sensitivity display includes a decision sensitivity table.

135. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the decision sensitivity display includes a decision sensitivity chart.

136. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the decision sensitivity display shows at least one value associated with a first strategy and at least one value associated with a second strategy.

137. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the decision sensitivity display compares at least one value associated with a strategy.

138. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the decision sensitivity display identifies sources of value.

139. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

140. The computer program product as recited in claim 133, and further comprising code for displaying a stock ticker.

141. The computer program product as recited in claim 96, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the potential feasible hybrid theme.

142. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the influence diagram.

143. The computer program product as recited in claim 142, wherein the influence diagram includes an information directory.

144. The computer program product as recited in claim 142, wherein the influence diagram identifies a plurality of uncertainties.

145. The computer program product as recited in claim 142, wherein the influence diagram identifies a plurality of risks.

146. The computer program product as recited in claim 142, wherein the influence diagram identifies decisions and a plurality of values that are important to a user.

147. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the potential feasible hybrid theme.

148. The computer program product as recited in claim 147, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating a plurality of the potential feasible hybrid themes.

149. The computer program product as recited in claim 147, wherein the potential feasible hybrid theme includes a hybrid strategy.

150. The computer program product as recited in claim 149, wherein the hybrid strategy combines a plurality of alternative strategies.

151. The computer program product as recited in claim 150, wherein at least one of the plurality alternative strategies is pre-defined.

152. The computer program product as recited in claim 147, wherein the potential feasible hybrid theme is associated with at least one strategy.

153. The computer program product as recited in claim 152, wherein the at least one strategy is pre-defined.

154. The computer program product as recited in claim 152, wherein the at least one strategy is user-defined.

155. The computer program product as recited in claim 154, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being provided a strategy name.

156. The computer program product as recited in claim 154, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a plurality of selections.

157. The computer program product as recited in claim 154, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by an amount of stock purchase.

158. The computer program product as recited in claim 154, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being defined by a selection of a plurality of alternatives.

159. The computer program product as recited in claim 154, wherein the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

160. The computer program product as recited in claim 159, wherein a range associated with the at least one strategy is capable of being modified.

161. The computer program product as recited in claim 152, wherein the at least one strategy is a stock purchase strategy.

162. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the decision sensitivity display;

said decision sensitivity display capable of showing at least one value associated with a first strategy and at least one value associated with a second strategy;

said at least one first strategy including a pre-defined stock-related strategy and said at least one second strategy including a user-defined stock-related strategy;

said second strategy capable of being;

provided a strategy name by a user, defined by a selection of a plurality of alternatives, and further modified.

163. The computer program product as recited in claim 162, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating the decision hierarchy display, said decision hierarchy display identifying at least one decision associated with the second strategy.

164. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application.

165. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the real estate-related application.

166. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the medical-related application.

167. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

168. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application.

169. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

170. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, and further comprising computer code for allowing a user to modify at least one of the tornado diagram, the decision sensitivity display, the decision hierarchy display, the influence diagram, and the potential feasible hybrid theme.

171. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the decision logic is related to a business-to-business transaction.

172. The computer program product as recited in claim 69, wherein the computer code for generating includes computer code for generating at least four of:

the tornado diagram, the decision sensitivity display, the decision hierarchy display, the influence diagram, and the potential feasible hybrid theme.

173. The computer program product as recited in claim 162, wherein said decision sensitivity display is capable of show the at least one value associated with the first strategy simultaneously with the at least one value associated with the second strategy.