A qualitative method for evaluation in conceptual design

摘要

In systems engineering, evaluation is required each time design choices must be made or justified. Generally, design choices take place according to multiple criteria: some of them may be contradictory. Moreover, since knowledge is still missing at the conceptual stage, it is often difficult to anticipate the consequences of design decisions on the ultimate effectiveness of the final product. An original qualitative evaluation method, taking into account the decision makers' optimistic or pessimistic attitude, and combining a preferences model on the criteria is proposed for the purpose of highlighting the most promising alternative system design solutions. An example in the mechatronics field serves to illustrate our proposals.