Trade-off curve

Also see:
No items found.

Trade-off curves are a powerful tool for understanding the performance limits of a design. They visualize the relationship between two or more key parameters that directly affect customer needs and the choices made during the design process. A classic example is the relationship between the diameter and wall thickness of a pipe (design decisions) and the fluid pressure and velocity expected by the customer (customer needs).

Elements of a Trade-off Curve

A complete trade-off curve consists of the following elements:

  • Visual representation: An image of the product or process being analyzed.
  • Description of failure mode: A detailed explanation of how the product or service may fail, including its causes.
  • Root Cause Analysis: A thorough analysis of why a failure or inefficiency occurs.
  • Possible countermeasures: A list of possible solutions or improvements that can be implemented to correct the problem.
  • Graphical representation: A graph that clearly shows the conditions under which the failure mode occurs. This graph charts the relationship between the various parameters.
  • Description of relationships: An explanation of the relationships between key parameters, reflecting the "trade-off" or compromise of the design.

Based on this comprehensive analysis, the design team creates an engineering check sheet. This is a compact and efficient summary of key findings, which is then used in design reviews. The goal is to find a balance between functionality and efficiency, without losing sight of quality or customer satisfaction.

Lean Lexicon

Explanation of key Lean terms online
View the entire lexicon
No items found.
No items found.