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Factoid
 
“The average payback on the analysis of large, risky IT investments is more than 20 times the cost of the analysis.”
 
Hubbard Decision Research

“The cancellation rate of software projects exceeding two years in duration is higher than the default rate of the worst rated junkbonds.”
Hubbard Decision Research


Reviews
 
"AIE's unique strengths are its processes for clarifying and quantifying 'unmeasureable' benefits, costs and risks..."
 
The Gartner Group

(more reviews)

Articles
The following are links to articles Doug Hubbard authored or was interviewed and/or cited as a reference. A review of these articles is one of the best ways to get a feel for how an AIE analyst approaches a variety of issues.


Measuring Up
by Karen Schwartz
FedTech, 02/15//2006

Karen Schwartz interviews Doug Hubbard, among others, about measurements in the Federal Government.


Are Weighted Averages for Vendor Selection a Waste of Time?
by Dan Gilmore
Supply Chain Digest, 06/15/2004

Dan Gilmore interviews Doug Hubbard about the use of weighted scoring methods for selection of vendors for supply chain management. It is a short but fairly complete discussion of the shortcomings of decision processes like this.


Getting More Precise at Risk Assessment
The Editors
Eweek, 11/10/2003

Baseline interviews Doug Hubbard about how to start thinking about IT risk more like an actuary would, instead of the subject "1 to 5" scales. Another consultant interviewed for the story says scientific measurements are "ideal in theory" but most managers aren't well versed in statistical research. Actually, HDR uses scientific methods in practice (not just theory) and total mastery of the subject by management is not a constraint (do managers really understand network management, database design or encryption?). Fortunately, the editors allow Hubbard to respond to the objections.


ROIowa
Case Study by Elana Varon, Expert Analysis by Doug Hubbard
CIO Magazine, 08/08/2003

The State of Iowa implements a new weighted scoring system in this entry in CIO Magazine's ongoing case study series. While Varon believes weighted scoring methods are a valid decision-making process, Hubbard gives a somewhat more critical view of Iowa's approach (which is no surprise to Hubbard's readers).


ROI: Results Often Immeasurable?
by Norm Alster
CFO.com, 10/15/2002

Norm Alster talks to Doug Hubbard and others about Applied Information Economics and how new ideas are emerging to compute ROI for IT.


A Buyer's Guide to IT Value Methodologies
by Tracy Mayor
CIO Magazine, 07/15/2002

This is a fairly comprehensive review of IT valuation methods. Follow the "probabalistic methods" link to go to the section that discusses AIE. It errs in distinguishing a clear line between Real-Options Valuation and AIE (AIE uses real options).


IT Portfolio Management
Joanne Cummings
Network World Fusion, 04/01/2002

April 4, 2002 Network World writer Joanne Cummings interviews Doug Hubbard about assessing risk and return in IT portfolios.


Containing the Pain of Scope Creep
By Regina Kwon and Anna Maria Virzi
Baseline, 3/1/2002

Doug Hubbard provides the authors with a practical example of the costs of adding one more function to software in development. The true costs are probably greater than you expect once a few categories of "hidden costs" are properly considered.


Capital Blue Cross
Case Study by Richard Pastore, Analysis by Doug Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 02/15/2000

CIO staff writer Richard Pastore writes a case study about how Capital Blue Cross of Harrisburg, PA evaluated a proposed decision-support system. Doug Hubbard then finishes with a commentary on the pros and cons of their approach.


Measuring Up: The CIO's Shallow Pockets
Robert Hertzberg
Baseline, 2/4/2002

Hertzberg interviews Doug Hubbard about how much CIO's spend on risk analysis and whether its enough.


Gauging IT investments
by Judi Hasson
Federal Computer Week, 12/10/2001

This discusses how AIE was used (or will be used, since it was written before the project) at the Census Bureau.


The Probability Problem
by Regina Kwon
Baseline Magazine, 12/10/2001

This is a practical explanation of the "Calibrated Probability" approach used in AIE. It even has a neat interactive tool. The article is based on an interview with Doug Hubbard.


Do The Math
Scott Berinato
CIO Magazine, 10/1/2001

Berinato talks to several IT value experts including Doug Hubbard.


Red Light, Green Light
Case Study by Tracy Mayor, analysis by  Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 10/01/2001

A case study written by Tracy Mayor explains how GM North America uses a color-coded project status tracking method. Doug Hubbard critiques this approach the "Expert Analysis" column. While the approach gets good marks on presentation, Hubbard explains how a statistical method can be used to improve upon the analysis.


New Evaluation Methodology Saves VA $30 Million
Joab Jackson
Washington Technology, 9/7/2001

Jackson reports on the Hubbard Decision Research consulting that saved the Department of Veterans Affairs millions. He misquotes Doug on one significant point. He says that this is the first application of Applied Information Economics to IT. Actually, it is the first application of AIE in government. It has been applied for years on IT investments.


Measure to Manage: ITFMA Gleanings
Case Study by Eric Krell
Business Technology, 07/24/2001

This article reviews the substance of the IT Financial Managers Association convention in Boston on July 10-13. The article focuses on three out of 30 presenters at the event. It dedicates a few paragraphs to the "IT Measurement Inversion" presentation Doug Hubbard is often asked to give at conferences.


Two Teams are Better than One
Case Study by Ben Worthen, analysis by  Douglas Hubbard
C
IO Enterprise Magazine, 07/15/2001

This case study by Ben Worthen documents how Hygeia's two team business case development methodology works. Doug Hubbard explains that while the division of duties may have a positive effect on the business cases, Hygeia's approach has the same problems as most traditional cost/benefit analysis.


Meter Readers
Case Study by Debby Young, analysis by  Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 01/15/2001

A case study written by Debby Young explains how Wisconsin Gas evaluated e-commerce projects with a method called "Loyalty Value Added". In the "Critical Analysis" column Doug Hubbard explains that this is an impressive step in the right direction. However, there are two common pitfalls in using Real Option Valuation and probabilistic models that Wisconsin Gas (and everyone else) need to watch out for.


Use Caution with Function Points
Case Study by Bill Roberts,  analysis by  Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 10/15/2000

A case study written by Bill Roberts of how Nielsen Media uses Function Points to manage outsourcing. Doug Hubbard's commentary focuses on the shortcomings of FPA for that purpose.


Keep On Trakin'
Case Study by Bill Roberts, Analysis by Doug Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 06/15/2000

Bill Roberts presents the case of how the largest trucking carrier in the US, Scheider National, made a business case for a new trailer tracking system. Mr. Hubbard's commentary points out that their use of some decision theory methods were impressive, but they missed an opportunity to quantify some things they too quickly labeled "intangible". Some significant benefits are left out of their analysis resulting in, frankly, a mediocre return. Fortunately, Schneider chose to implement the system regardless of the unimpressive payback.


An Audit Tale
Case Study by Debby Young, Analysis by Doug Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 05/01/2000

Debby Young writes a case study on how Mitre Corp, a not-for-profit providing IT consulting to the federal government, conducted a post-audit on a major enterprise application. Doug Hubbard's commentary includes kudos for the measurement efforts but Mr. Hubbard suggests a more scientific probabilistic approach. And, once again, Mr. Hubbard points out that the intangibles really aren't.


The IT Measurement Inversion
By Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 04/15/1999

This article is about our research on the value of measurements and measurement priorities. We find that if "information value" were properly quantified in most IT CBA's, we would see that IT measurement priorities are backward.


Hurdling Risk
By Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 06/15/1998

Hurdle rates are a minimum-ROI criterion used by some companies as approval of IT investments. Our research shows that if a proper Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) approach is used, most IT hurdle rates are far too low.


Everything is Measurable
By Douglas Hubbard
CIO Enterprise Magazine, 11/15/1997

This article is our classic and oft-quoted refutation of the idea of "intangibles" in IT. All perceived intangibles are actually an illusion caused by one of three types of misconceptions about measurement.


Risk vs. Return
By Douglas Hubbard
InformationWeek, 06/30/1997

We were invited to write the first installment in a new series of guest-author articles for Information Week. This article describes some basic concepts for a how IT might apply the concepts of risk and return so common in finance.


Measuring Value: Return On Investment
Bob Violino
InformationWeek, 6/30/1997

Violino says "The intangible benefits of technology are emerging as the most important of all". He interviews several experts including Doug Hubbard.


Jorge Nascimento Rodrigues

(in Portuguese) "Bolsa de apostas de ideias polemecas: Um mercado de futuros na Web" 1997, The Express

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