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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
CIO 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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