Integrated use of linear programming and multiple criteria methods in an engineering design process

In an aeronautical sector company, where engineering design process steps and activities are developed, a decision aiding methodology was required to support the processes. We have proposed the integrated use of linear programming and multiple criteria methods, which can be used to orient the conceptual design of alternative functional and physical solutions and to cope with complex design problems. Linear programming has been used in relation to some case studies, to generate design alternatives that satisfy the set of the initial requirements, while multiple criteria methods have been proposed to interact transparently with the client, in relation to some aspects that a linear programming model cannot include, to evaluate, compare and select alternatives in order to identify and formalize new expectations that the first solutions have not be able to resolve. The iterative use of the two approaches, in a cyclic procedure of mutual learning, allows the requirements to be defined more clearly and a final satisfying solution to be reached.