Using robust design techniques to model the effects of multiple decisionmakers in a design process

In this paper we introduce a methodology to reduce theeffects of uncertainty in the design of a complex engineeringsystem involving multiple decision makers. We focus on theuncertainty that is created when a disciplinary designer or designteam must try and predict or model the behavior of otherdisciplinary subsystems. The design of a complex system isperformed by many different designers and teams, each of whichonly have control over a small portion of the entire system.Modeling the interaction among these decision makers andreducing the uncertainty caused by the lack of global control isthe focus of this paper. We use well developed concepts fromthe field of game theory to describe the interactions takingplace, and concepts from robust design to reduce the effects ofone decision-maker on another. Response Surface Methodology(RSM) is also used to reduce the complexity of the interactionanalysis while preserving behavior of the systems. The designof a passenger aircraft is used to illustrate the approach, andsome encouraging results are discussed.