Value-driven design

Value-driven design (VDD) is a systems engineering strategy based on microeconomics which enables multidisciplinary design optimization. Value-driven design is being developed by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, through a program committee of government, industry and academic representatives.[1] In parallel, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has promulgated an identical strategy, calling it value-centric design, on the F6 Program. At this point, the terms value-driven design and value-centric design are interchangeable. The essence of these strategies is that design choices are made to maximize system value rather than to meet performance requirements.

This is also similar to the value-driven approach of agile software development where a project's stakeholders prioritise their high-level needs (or system features) based on the perceived business value each would deliver.[2]

Value-driven design is controversial because performance requirements are a central element of systems engineering.[3] However, value-driven design supporters claim that it can improve the development of large aerospace systems by reducing or eliminating cost overruns[4] which are a major problem, according to independent auditors.[5]

  1. ^ "AIAA Program Committees". Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  2. ^ Sliger, Michele; Broderick, Stacia (2008). The Software Project Manager's Bridge to Agility. Addison-Wesley. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-321-50275-9.
  3. ^ Kapurch, Stephen J.; et al. (2007). NASA Systems Engineering Handbook (PDF) (Rev 1 ed.). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  4. ^ "Value-Driven Design Aerospace America". American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA. December 2008. p. 109. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  5. ^ Mullins, Brian (March 31, 2008). Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs (Report). US Government Accountability Office. Retrieved 2009-05-24.