4.4 Developing Metrics To Measure the Achievement Of Objectives

Question 1

What makes a metric good or useful?

Answer 1

Metrics are good when

• they are valid (i.e. they actually measure the objective that the design is supposed to meet).
• they enable the correct scale or level of precision.
• points that correspond to the scale or range expressed in the correct units of interest or figures of merit are assigned for them.

Question 2

When might surrogate metrics be invoked?

Answer 2

Surrogate metrics are generally invoked when there are no obvious measures appropriate to the objective of interest.

Question 3

When are surrogate metrics most useful?

Answer 3

Surrogate metrics are quite useful when they are measurable properties that strongly relate to the objective of interest.

Question 4

What are two scales for awarding points based on the perceived value of a solution, idea, or concept?

Answer 4

Use-value-analysis assigns metrics based on the perceived value of a solution. VDI 2225 Guidelines assign metrics based on the perceived value of the idea or concept.

Question 5

How are the Use-Value Analysis and the VDI 2225 Guidelines used to assign metrics?

Answer 5

Question 6

Note an example applying Use-Value Analysis and VDI 2225 scales.

Answer 6

Question 7

How might metrics be assigned for the environmentally benign objective of the juice container example?

Answer 7

Question 8

How might metrics be assigned for the easy to distribute objective of the juice container example?

Answer 8

Question 9

How might metrics be assigned for the long shelf life objective of the juice container example?

Answer 9