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 | ||||
| 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. | ||
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 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Budget Cost | < $1,000 | $1,000-$9,999 | $10,000-$24,999 | $25,000-$99,999 | > $100,000 |
| Labor Cost | < 2 Staff & < 1 month | 2-3 Staff & 1-3 months | 4-5 Staff & 4-6 months | 5-6 Staff & 7-12 months | > 6 Staff & > 12 months |
| Ongoing Operational (Maintenance) Cost | < $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.