In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for creating a
supplier-rating matrix for rating services of a supplier. The method
includes defining a plurality of job attributes each including a
plurality of sub-attributes, each sub-attribute representing a range of
job attribute values and defining a job attribute vector associated with
the supplier, the job attribute vector including a plurality of
dimensions each corresponding to a sub-attribute. The method further
includes defining a plurality of performance metrics and defining a
performance vector associated with the supplier, the performance vector
including a plurality of dimensions each corresponding to a performance
metric. The method further includes defining a initial values for the job
attribute vector and the performance vector and generating a supplier
rating matrix for the supplier by mathematically combining the job
attribute vector and the performance vector.