Patent ID: 8204809

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for high performance capability assessment of a finance-based business, comprising: defining, by a processor coupled to a machine-readable memory, a multidimensional industry performance reference set stored in the memory and comprising multiple key assessment performance reference tables, each of the multiple key assessment performance reference tables further comprising: a Basic performance capability level specifying Basic finance function performance assessment criteria in the finance-based business to identify a proper role of finance, the Basic performance criteria including where focus is primarily on GAAP accounting, financial performance, and traditional governance, where there is no active or effective partnering with the rest of the organization, and where the needs of internal customers has not been explicitly surveyed; a Competitive performance capability level specifying Competitive finance function performance assessment criteria in the finance-based business to identify a proper role of finance, the competitive performance criteria including where the business actively partners with other departments but potential for better integration remains, where some business support and problem resolution advice is provided but competes with other groups, and where less time than desired is spent on high value activities; a Market Leading performance capability level specifying Market Leading finance function performance assessment criteria in the finance-based business to identify a proper role of finance, the Market Leading performance criteria including where both traditional governance and analytics/decision support excels, where a large percentage of time is spent on high value activities; and where a value creation mindset and financial acumen has infused the entire enterprise; receiving, through a communication interface coupled to the processor, an input specifying an industry area in the finance-based business and an industry assessment area for analysis; searching, by the processor, the multidimensional industry performance reference set for a matching key assessment performance reference table that matches the industry area and the industry key assessment area; retrieving, using the processor, the matching key assessment performance reference table; analyzing, by the processor, the matching key assessment performance reference table; and obtaining, by the processor, a resultant finance-based performance capability level for the industry key assessment area.