ASSISTUM NEWSLETTER ------- ISSUE 5 - May 2002
				Version 5 with XML now available Assistum Version 5 has easier navigation, better reporting, and much more flexible controls. It also uses XML for data storage and has an improved Java version. More details are here. We are pleased to announce that Pfizer, Halliburton and Amerada Hess have joined our list of clients using Version 5. Pfizer is using Assistum technology to share best practice in the R&D area and Halliburton and Amerada Hess are building on the Well Decision Navigator project. Clients with current support and maintenance agreements can upgrade to Version 5 free of charge. Other clients using Version 4 who wish to upgrade, please contact us.
		CONTENTS THIS ISSUE Version 5 with XML Risk assessment Knowledge Server Bulletin Board Qualitative + quantitative methods Advanced Java applications   Free subscription This free newsletter is published about twice a year. We hope you find it interesting. Please forward it to any colleague who might also find it interesting. If you have been forwarded a copy and would like to receive your own copy, send us an e-mail with newsletter as the subject. If you would like to read previous editions of this newsletter, click here. If you would like to stop receiving this newsletter, send us an e-mail with unsubscribe as the subject. We will not pass your e-mail address to any other organisation. www.assistum.com
				Four insights on risk assessment We recently participated in two conferences on Risk Assessment in the Oil & Gas and Pharmaceuticals industries. The key insights we gained are: 1. Garbage In ... Garbage Out - Good quality inputs are essential 2. Hard and Soft issues - Qualitative methods are also required 3. Communication - High quality conversations are more important than the numbers 4. Learning and review - This appears to be a neglected topic For more discussion of these topics, click here.
				Knowledge Server A server of Assistum knowledge bases is currently undergoing final testing and will be available soon. The Assistum Editor and Viewer will be clients to this server. The server will provide secure access to and version control of centrally managed knowledge bases and scenarios. For more information contact our Technical Director.		Bulletin Board Community A new bulletin board is now available on the Assistum website. The subjects covered include knowledge management, decision making, business applications, software and academia. Share your opinions, news, questions and answers.
				Integration of qualitative and quantitative methods There appears to us to be two separate worlds in business decision making. There is the world of numbers - Excel spreadsheets with simulations and scenarios calculating NPVs and IRRs and standard deviations - to inform the decision making process. Then there is the other world of experience, judgement, ideas and conversations that also informs the decision making process. It seems to us that the more important and strategic the decision, the more qualitative the real drivers actually are -with the spreadsheets providing the post -rationalisation! But perhaps we are mistaken. With Assistum, it is now possible to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods using the new control features of Version 5 together with new VBA extensions that enable the import and export of data from MS Excel spreadsheets. This is being used by an oil company client to compare risk profiles across projects.
				Advanced interactive Java applications on website A recent addition to the Assistum website is a collection of advanced business applications that can be used for decision making or business review. These are accessible, without charge or registration using your internet browser. The applications include: Pricing Outsourcing Business Strategy Selling Capability Risk Assessment IT security Innovation Project Prioritisation To access these interactive examples, click here.