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Coming to grips with measures of effectiveness
Author(s) -
Sproles Noel
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
systems engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.474
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1520-6858
pISSN - 1098-1241
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6858(2000)3:1<50::aid-sys4>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - meaning (existential) , test (biology) , stakeholder , computer science , management science , operations research , artificial intelligence , engineering , psychology , political science , law , paleontology , psychotherapist , biology
Although “Measures of Effectiveness” (MOEs) are referred to in systems engineering documents such as EIA/IS‐632, there is no universally accepted meaning for the term. This paper provides an overview of this important topic by suggesting a definition of MOEs. The role of MOEs as the standards for identifying successful solutions is examined. They are shown to be “mission” or “purpose” oriented and not concerned with the internal details of the solutions per se . A clear distinction is drawn between the MOEs as established by the stakeholder and the quantified MOE, or figure of merit, established as a result of the analysis and evaluation of particular solutions. MOEs are seen to be the precursor to, hence the “engines” of, test and evaluation and of criteria. A study of the roles of other forms of “measures” enables a clearer understanding of the role and nature of MOEs to be established. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 3: 50–58, 2000