Dr. Bhaskara Reddy Moole, who earned a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences, received Walden University’s Frank Dilley Award for his dissertation, A Probabilistic Multidimensional Data Model and Its Applications in Business Management.

“Forecasting demand for a product is hard to do,” says Moole. “It is a complex task involving uncertainty … and analysis of sales, promotion and competition data. Probabilistic multidimensional data models capture this uncertainty using probabilistic measures and are capable of storing and manipulating large amounts of data to help managers predict demand.”

Currently, several product vendors provide extensions and features to support these requirements, Moole explains. “However, the current probabilistic multidimensional data model lacks a framework to update uncertain data,” he says.

In his research, Moole created a framework to modify existing probabilistic multidimensional data and improve demand-forecasting products.

“The solution is significant in that it removes a major impediment to developing such products,” Moole says. “Results from this study could become a data model standard in the area of applied decision sciences.”

As a result, this research may help standardize online analytical processing and data warehousing software products. Standardized products are easier to understand than custom-built and proprietary products. Standardization generally creates more competition and leads to lower prices, Moole says. “Reduced prices of goods and services for consumers improve the standard of living and enhance the quality of life,” he explains.

Dr. Raghu Korrapati, a faculty member in the School of Management and winner of the Rita Turner Award for chairing Moole’s dissertation committee, says:  “Moole published four papers relating to his dissertation before he graduated. That’s an outstanding accomplishment.” He adds that “Other researchers in this topic area have already referenced Moole’s papers. That’s a testament to the merit of his dissertation research.”

Korrapati is a national examiner (2005 and 2006) for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, organized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In addition to Korrapati, Dr. Christopher Kalangi, Dr. Pamela Wilson and Dr. Larry Beebe, all from the School of Management, served on Moole’s dissertation committee.

The Frank Dilley Award is bestowed annually upon a Walden graduate whose dissertation is judged as meeting the highest standards of academic excellence. This award was created to honor the singular academic contributions to North American higher education and the particular dedication to Walden University’s academic programs of Dr. Frank Dilley. An active contributor to Walden’s academic innovation and avid participant in dispersed residency sessions, Dr. Dilley personifies Walden’s pioneering spirit, and he greatly contributed to the success of the university.

The Rita Turner Award is bestowed annually upon the faculty chair of the dissertation committee of the winner of the Frank Dilley Award. This award was created to honor the total commitment of Walden co-founder Rita Turner. Mrs. Turner’s shared vision of the university, careful attention to major organizational issues, supervision of complex operational details and concern for fiscal accountability made it possible for the university not only to flourish during its first two decades, but to grow into the unique global institution it has become.

August Ponder front page