Flexibility in Engineering Design

by Richard De Neufville, Stefan Scholtes

Overview

A guide to using the power of design flexibility to improve the performance of complex technological projects, for designers, managers, users, and analysts.

Project teams can improve results by recognizing that the future is inevitably uncertain and that by creating flexible designs they can adapt to eventualities. This approach enables them to take advantage of new opportunities and avoid harmful losses. Designers of complex, long-lasting projects—such as communication networks, power plants, or hospitals—must learn to abandon fixed specifications and narrow forecasts. They need to avoid the “flaw of averages,” the conceptual pitfall that traps so many designs in underperformance. Failure to allow for changing circumstances risks leaving significant value untapped. This book is a guide for creating and implementing value-enhancing flexibility in design. It will be an essential resource for all participants in the development and operation of technological systems: designers, managers, financial analysts, investors, regulators, and academics.

The book provides a high-level overview of why flexibility in design is needed to deliver significantly increased value. It describes in detail methods to identify, select, and implement useful flexibility. The book is unique in that it explicitly recognizes that future outcomes are uncertain. It thus presents forecasting, analysis, and evaluation tools especially suited to this reality. Appendixes provide expanded explanations of concepts and analytic tools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262016230
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	08/12/2011
Series:	Engineering Systems
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Richard de Neufville is Professor of Engineering Systems and Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. He was Founding Chairman of the MIT Technology and Policy Program.

Stefan Scholtes is Dennis Gillings Professor of Health Management and Academic Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Enterprise at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

What People are Saying About This

Arnoud De Meyer

"De Neufville and Scholtes convincingly show us that enhancing flexibility in engineering design can help us a lot to improve our performance.

Anchored in their research, the book is an easy read because both authors are also excellent pedagogues who take the reader step by step through some difficult materials. This book is a real must read for anybody involved in big scale projects."—Arnoud De Meyer, President and Professor, Singapore Management University

Michael Haigh

"This book is an important reference for those involved in planning infrastructure or building projects. It uniquely tackles the fact that uncertainty hangs over our planning of infrastructure development. Frequently we don't appreciate that building flexibility into future use may create the best value. The authors bring together the theory with practical examples to create a book which will help to reshape the thinking behind our approach to investment in our built environment."—Michael Haigh, Managing Director, Mott MacDonald Middle East and South Asia

Lloyd McCoomb

"Forecasts are a necessary part of planning major capital projects. The problem is these forecasts are almost always wrong. It is very important to recognize this truth and even more important to shield projects from the potential downsides of an uncertain future by building in flexibility. Professors de Neufville and Scholtes have provided a clear and practical guide, well supported by specific examples, on the science of identifying, justifying, and implementing flexibility in design."—Lloyd A. McCoomb, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Pearson International Airport

Endorsement

With this book, de Neufville and Scholtes have tackled the issue of flexibility in engineering design head-on, producing an essential companion for current and future engineering leaders. It is both a motivating and practical analysis of the power of flexibility to intelligently manage risks and seize the benefits that, in my long experience, are inherent in all major projects.

—Ray O'Rourke, KBE, Founder and Chairman, The Laing O'Rourke Group

From the Publisher

Planning for large-scale infrastructure systems is a problem as monumental as the systems themselves. De Neufville and Scholtes present a powerful and innovative new way of thinking about this persistent challenge. It should compel any engineer, planner, or policy maker involved with mega-projects to rethink how we conceive future systems and how we develop strategies for their realization. It is a significant advance.

— Gregory Baecher , Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering, University of Maryland

De Neufville and Scholtes convincingly show us that enhancing flexibility in engineering design can help us a lot to improve our performance. Anchored in their research, the book is an easy read because both authors are also excellent pedagogues who take the reader step by step through some difficult materials. This book is a real must read for anybody involved in big scale projects.

— Arnoud De Meyer , President and Professor, Singapore Management University

This book is an important reference for those involved in planning infrastructure or building projects. It uniquely tackles the fact that uncertainty hangs over our planning of infrastructure development. Frequently we don't appreciate that building flexibility into future use may create the best value. The authors bring together the theory with practical examples to create a book which will help to reshape the thinking behind our approach to investment in our built environment.

— Michael Haigh , Managing Director, Mott MacDonald Middle East and South Asia

Forecasts are a necessary part of planning major capital projects. The problem is these forecasts are almost always wrong. It is very important to recognize this truth and even more important to shield projects from the potential downsides of an uncertain future by building in flexibility. Professors de Neufville and Scholtes have provided a clear and practical guide, well supported by specific examples, on the science of identifying, justifying, and implementing flexibility in design.

— Lloyd McCoomb , President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Pearson International Airport

With this book, de Neufville and Scholtes have tackled the issue of flexibility in engineering design head-on, producing an essential companion for current and future engineering leaders. It is both a motivating and practical analysis of the power of flexibility to intelligently manage risks and seize the benefits that, in my long experience, are inherent in all major projects.

— Ray O'Rourke, KBE , Founder and Chairman, The Laing O'Rourke Group

Gregory Baecher

"Planning for large-scale infrastructure systems is a problem as monumental as the systems themselves. De Neufville and Scholtes present a powerful and innovative new way of thinking about this persistent challenge. It should compel any engineer, planner, or policy maker involved with mega-projects to rethink how we conceive future systems and how we develop strategies for their realization. It is a significant advance."—Gregory B. Baecher, Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering, University of Maryland

Ray O'Rourke

"With this book, de Neufville and Scholtes have tackled the issue of flexibility in engineering design head-on, producing an essential companion for current and future engineering leaders. It is both a motivating and practical analysis of the power of flexibility to intelligently manage risks and seize the benefits that, in my long experience, are inherent in all major projects."—Ray O'Rourke, KBE, Founder and Chairman, The Laing O'Rourke Group