Thomas T Christopherson

US Patent:

20040199417, Oct 7, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/612540

Inventors:

Randy Baxter - Mesa AZ, US
William Bliss - Wellesley MA, US
Stephen Biondi - Brookfield CT, US
Robert Bojanek - Ridgefield CT, US
James Carey - Rochester MN, US
Thomas Christopherson - Rochester MN, US
Charles Davis - Sleepy Hollow NY, US
Kathleen Diedrich - Rochester MN, US
Charles Gauthier - Stewartville MN, US
Uwe Hansmann - Durham NC, US
Katherine Imming - Rochester MN, US
Pamela Kaplan - Washington DC, US
Roger Kerr - Stamford CT, US
Brian Peterson - Ridgefield CT, US
Thomas Pitzen - Rochester MN, US
Christopher Wicher - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/010000

Abstract:

Techniques are disclosed for assessing information technology products by comparing a product (including a product still under development) to a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. The comparison is preferably directed toward ensuring, and/or improving, the product's acceptance by its target marketplace or market segment. In preferred embodiments, a product assessment score is created as a result of the comparison. When necessary, a set of recommendations for product changes is also created. The criteria/attributes may be prioritized in view of their importance to the target marketplace or market segment, and the assessment results are preferably provided to product teams to influence the importance of product planning and/or development efforts. Optionally, the assessment process may be used to determine whether the assessed product qualifies for a special designation that signifies support for the assessment criteria/attributes.

US Patent:

20070083419, Apr 12, 2007

Filed:

Oct 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/244510

Inventors:

Randy Baxter - Mesa AZ, US
Michael Britt - Rochester MN, US
Thomas Christopherson - Rochester MN, US
Heng Chu - Chapel Hill NC, US
Mark Pasch - Rochester MN, US
Thomas Pitzen - Rochester MN, US
Christopher Wicher - Raleigh NC, US
Patrick Wildt - Rochester MN, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

705010000

Abstract:

Techniques for assessing information technology components by comparing a component (including a component still under development) to a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. In preferred embodiments, a component assessment score is created as a result of the comparison. When necessary, a set of recommendations for component changes may also be created. The criteria/attributes may be prioritized in view of their importance to the target market, and the assessment results are preferably provided to component teams to influence component harvesting, planning, and/or development efforts. Optionally, the assessment process may be used to determine whether the assessed component has achieved at least some predetermined assessment score associated with a special designation.