This week RiskMetrics Group introduced a new research initiative that looks at the always complex issues surrounding executive compensation. The project, Explorations in Executive Compensation is offered in the hopes of sparking constructive dialogue and stirring new ways of thinking about this issue - and in the process help move investors and companies towards a common language for creating, evaluating and communicating about executive pay systems.

The project initially consists two sets of white papers. The first set, Considerations, defines and puts into context the basic elements of U.S. executives' pay packages, with special attention paid to emerging key considerations for investors in evaluating pay and equity plans in particular.

The second set, Innovations, offer a pair of new methods of looking at critical issues in executive pay: peer group benchmarking and and the degree of alignment between the risks borne by investors and by shareholders.

We're excited about this opportunity to advance dialogue and transparency on compensation issues - and are eagerly seeking your feedback on the ideas put forth in the project. Explorations in Executive Compensation is posted online at www.riskmetrics.com/compensation, with an interactive executive summary and online tools to explore the new benchmarking and risk profiling methodologies. Please visit the site and let us know what you think.