Benefit Score
The benefit score is rated on a scale of 1-5 and comprised of an average of scores from 5 different criteria. The higher the score in each criteria, the bigger the impact that the project is expected to have in that area. The criteria and metrics are as follows:
| Criteria | Score & Metrics | |||||
| 0* | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Supports University Mission, Strategic Plan, and/or Revenue Generating Initiatives | Project minimally supports one of the criteria. | Project moderately supports some of the criteria or significantly supports one of the criteria. | Project significantly supports all of the criteria. | |||
| Enhances Learning, Supports Teaching and/or Advanced Research Initiatives | Project minimally supports one of the criteria. | Project moderately supports some of the criteria or significantly supports one of the criteria. | Project significantly supports all of the criteria. | |||
| Improves Service to the Faculty, Staff, and Students (The Campus Community) | Project improves service for a small population of the campus community. | Project improves service for a moderate population of the campus community. | Project improves service for the entire campus community. | |||
| Improves Efficiency, Improves Effectiveness, and/or Reduces Costs | Project supports one of the criteria for a single department. | Project supports some of the criteria or for multiple departments. | Project supports all of the criteria for all departments. | |||
| Mitigates Risk to the Institution | Project minimally mitigate risk to the institution. | Project moderately mitigates risk to the institution. | Project significantly mitigates risk to the institution. | |||
* If the project does not support a given criteria, a score of zero will be applied to that criteria.
The scores for all the criteria are then averaged to result in the project benefit score.
Cost Score
The cost score is also rated on a scale of 1-5 and is based on an average of scores from 3 different criteria. For each criteria, a high score means that the project's costs are expected to be higher. The criteria and metrics are as follows:
| Criteria | Score & Guide | |||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Budget Cost | $0 | < $1,000 | $1,000-$9,999 | $10,000-$39,999 | $40,000-$99,999 | > $100,000 |
| Labor Cost | 0 Staff & < 1 month | 2 Staff or fewer & < 1 month | 2-4 Staff & 1-3 months | 3-5 Staff & 4-6 months | 4-6 Staff & 7-12 months | > 6 Staff & > 12 months |
| Ongoing Operational (Maintenance) Cost | $0 and < 1 hour per year | < $1,000 per year and < 10 hours per year | $1,000-$9,999 and/or 10-39 hour sper year | $10,000-$29,999 and/or 40-60 hours per year | $30,000-$59,000 and/or 60-100 hours per year | > $60,000 and/or > 100 hours per year |
The scores for all the criteria are then averaged to result in the project cost score.
Interpreting Each Score
Both scores are assigned to a project to assist in quickly identifying the merits of a project proposal from purely a cost/benefit standpoint. In addition to cost and benefit, there are other factors that are considered when prioritizing a project. Learn more about those factors in the Evaluation and Prioritization article.
The scores are meant to summarize a deeper cost/benefit analysis and as such, further conversation with CIS directors, a CIS project manager or business analyst, and other stakeholders around campus regarding each score is encouraged.