A multicriteria approach to support the design of complex systems

Numerous design problems exist when the product is so complex that it has to be decomposed and given to specialists from different disciplines. Multidisciplinary interaction is difficult and therefore specific methodologies are proposed for the design of systems and for the coordination of the involved organizational groups. The concept of interaction between disciplines is related to the original work context, the design coordination, but can be extended to all situations in which different sectors are involved, in technical, administrative or management contexts. A collaboration between the Thales Alenia Space Italia enterprise and the university made it possible to define the problem of supporting the design of complex systems, in relation to the firm’s design processes, and to test some innovative approaches. One of these approaches integrates methods of Problem structuring and Multicriteria analysis. The results, in relation to a specific space-mission case study, are presented and analysed.