Decision Making Process

Question 1

Define FOM:

Answer 1

Figure of merit

Question 2

What are two common methods of making project decisions?

Answer 2

1. Decision Matrix (Pugh Matrix)

2. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Question 3

True or False: Selecting the right concept of operations and systems architecture is not one of the first things to do in the design process.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Steps to making systems decisions:

Answer 4

1. Establish evluation criterion
2. Establish importance between said criterion
3. develop alternative concepts to meet objectives
4. Evaluate alternatives based on criterion
5. Select best tentative alternative
6. Evaluate best alternative
7. Finalize decision or return to step 3

Question 5

Define Figure of Merit:

Answer 5

A metric by which a stakeholder’s expectations will be judged in assessing satisfaction with a product or system.

Question 6

A good FOM has the following qualities:

Answer 6

1. Independent of particular solution
2. Simple to state and unambiguous
3. Easy to measure (use a ruler or something haha)

Question 7

What do we use FOM’s for?

Answer 7

1. Determine how concepts meet requirements
2. Compare and rank alternatives
3. Assess relative sensitivity of mission to operational assumptions

Question 8

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Total Landed Mass

Answer 8

Quant

Question 9

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Scalability

Answer 9

Quant

Question 10

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Reliability

Answer 10

Quant

Question 11

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Ability to repair

Answer 11

Qual

Question 12

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Increase in crew radiation exposure

Answer 12

Qual

Key word increase?

Question 13

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Similarity to lunar mission

Answer 13

Qual

Question 14

Quantitative or Qualitative?

Complexity

Answer 14

Qual

Question 15

Steps of Matrix Method:

Answer 15

1. Brainstorm Alternatives
2. Make a default choice
3. List important decision criteria
4. Fill in 1, 0, or -1 ratings (better, equiv, worse)
5. Adjust weights for unequal criteria (more/less important)
6. Do you feel good about best choice?
7. Assess the results and adjust

Question 16

____ Determines the best choice through pair-wise comparisons.

Answer 16

AHP (Analytical hierarchy process)

Question 17

AHP Steps:

Answer 17

1. Describe alternatives
2. Generate FOM’s
3. Decompose FOMs into evaluation attributes
4. Determine relative importance of FOMs through prioritization matrices
5. Determine relative relationship between alternatives and FOMs
6. Iterate

Question 18

AHP suffers from a phenomena known as _________.

Answer 18

Rank reversal

Question 19

AHP assumes/imposes ____ among alternatives.

Answer 19

Ranking/Hierarchy

Question 20

____ Method uses a 1-9 scale for ranking attribute’s relative strength to one another.

Answer 20

AHP

Question 21

____ is used to compare both quantitative and qualitative FOMs in the same framework.

Answer 21

AHP

Question 22

True or False: AHP method should NOT be used to compare alternatives where a spectrum of preference exists.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

True or False: AHP should be used for properties that must be met in a YES or NO fashion.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

True or False: AHP is not appropriate for all decisions and comparisons.

Answer 24

True