Method and apparatus for predicting project outcomes

A system comprising:

• a processing device in communication with a memory, wherein the processing device is configured for:
• performing processing associated with assigning, using the processing device, values to each factor of a predetermined set of factors relating to the project, wherein the predetermined set of factors is the same for different projects, wherein the different projects range across multiple industries;
• performing processing associated with determining, using the processing device, a score to represent a likely outcome of the project, the score comprising:
• D+2I+2C1+C2+E, wherein D comprises a factor relating to the length of time to complete the project or to a learning milestone at which project progress is assessed, I comprises a factor relating to performance integrity of persons involved in implementing the project, C1 comprises a factor relating to the visible commitment of senior management to the project, C2 comprises a factor relating to local commitment to the project, and E comprises a factor relating to effort required to implement the project;
• wherein the factors of the score are weighted as follows:
• for D, the weight given to D corresponds to how short the duration of the project or the learning milestone is;
• for I, the weight given to I corresponds to how good the performance integrity of the persons involved in implementing the project is;
• for C1, the weight given to C1 corresponds to how supportive senior management is of the project;
• for C1, the weight given to C2 corresponds to how supportive locals are of the project;
• and for E, the weight given to E corresponds to how much local effort is required to implement the project:
• performing processing associated with accepting, by the processing device, statistical data relating outcomes of other projects, the other projects ranging across multiple industries;
• performing processing associated with deriving, by the processing device, using the statistical data, score ranges associated with outcome categories;
• and
• performing processing associated with comparing, by the processing device, the score to the score ranges derived from the statistical data to identify into which score range and outcome category the score falls, thereby associating the determined score with an outcome category as a likely outcome of the project.

A computer program product having a plurality of instructions that when executed by a processing device in communication with a memory, cause the processing device to:

• perform, processing associated with assigning values, using the processing device, to each factor of a predetermined set of factors relating to the project, wherein the predetermined set of factors is the same for different projects, wherein different projects range across multiple industries;
• perform processing associated with determining, using the processing device a score to represent a likely outcome of the project, the score comprising:
• D+2I−2C1+C2+E, wherein D comprises a factor relating to the length of time to complete the project, or to a learning milestone at which project progress is assessed. I comprise a factor relating to performance integrity of persons involved in implementing the project. C1 comprises a factor relating to the visible commitment of senior management to the project, C2 comprises a factor relating to local commitment to the project, and E comprises a factor relating to effort required to implement the project;
• wherein the factors are weighted as follows:
• for D, the weight given to D corresponds to how short the duration of the project or the learning milestone is:
• for I, the weight give I corresponds to how good the performance integrity of the persons involved in implementing the project is:
• for C1, the weight given to C1 corresponds to how supportive senior management is of the project;
• for C1, the weight given to C2 corresponds to how supportive locals are of the project:
• and for E, the weight given to E corresponds to bow much local effort is required to implement the project;
• perform processing associated with accepting, by the processing device, statistical data relating outcomes of other projects ranging across multiple industries;
• perform processing associated with deriving, by the processing device, using the statistical data, score ranges associated with outcome categories:
• and
• perform processing associated with comparing, by the processing device, the score to the ranges derived from the statistical data to identify into which score range and outcome category the score falls, thereby associating the determined score with an outcome category as a likely outcome of the project.