Analytical Tool

Abstract

An exemplary method for determining a singular impact of a base criterion includes selecting the base criterion and a trade criterion from a plurality of criteria and selecting a starting alternative and a target alternative. A series of virtual alternatives are then created, initially based on the starting alternative, by sequentially eliminating an impact of each non-selected criteria from the plurality of criteria. A final virtual alternative is compared to the target alternative and the singular impact of the base criterion is determined based on a difference between the final virtual alternative and the target alternative.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for analyzing an impact of a desired singular tradeoff for a population of users comprising:
 selecting the desired singular tradeoff from the population of users;   collecting a plurality of singular tradeoffs in a sequential fashion from the population of users;   processing the plurality of singular tradeoffs; analyzing the plurality of singular tradeoffs; and   determining the impact of the desired singular tradeoff based on the analyzed plurality of tradeoffs.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the desired singular tradeoff comprises two or more subcomponents. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of singular tradeoffs are subcomponents of an economic unit capable of being sold. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  wherein the economic unit is a plurality of economic units comprising the population of users. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the impact of the desired singular tradeoff is a unit of currency per the desired singular tradeoff. 
     
     
         6 . A computer implemented method for generating a price of an item or a feature based on user preference comprising:
 receiving at a server a request for pricing;   receiving an identification of an item or a feature for which pricing is desired;   receiving at least a first preference for the identified item or feature; and   generating in response a price for the identified item or feature.   
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the price is generated in real time. 
     
     
         8 . A computer implemented method for generating a price of an item or a feature based on user preference comprising:
 receiving at a server a request for pricing;   receiving an identification of an item or a feature for which pricing is desired;   retrieving situational environment information relevant to pricing; and   generating the price based on the identification and the situational environment information.