Relational-oriented systems engineering and technology tradeoff analysis framework

In this paper a new framework for performing early technology tradeoff and design studies, the Relational-Oriented Systems Engineering and Technology Tradeoff Analysis (ROSETTA) framework, is developed and applied to an initial case study to conduct a trade between two candidate technologies for potential application on a commercial jet. ROSETTA leverages the Relational-Oriented Systems Engineering (ROSE) methodology coupled with the exploitation of transformations used in modeling and simulation to create a direct association between the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology and standard quantitative conceptual design space exploration techniques leveraged in technology forecasting and trade studies. This association brings precision to QFD that is model driven and mathematically founded. The approach highlights key deficiencies in QFD when applied to early phase design and technology tradeoff studies for the development of systems. ROSETTA proposes a more rigorous and generalized mathematical framework for conducting generic QFD-type exercises to support decision making in early systems engineering and design, and the advantages of the ROSETTA framework are demonstrated through the application of ROSETTA to a small-scale aerospace technology tradeoff. ROSETTA provides a means to begin to formalize and strengthen the relationship between QFD, modeling and simulation, and theoretical mathematics, and allow translation between these three approaches to engineering problems.