Glossary

AND/OR decomposition

A technique for breaking down complex objectives. In an AND decomposition the parent is satisfied only if all sub-objectives are; in an OR decomposition the sub-objectives are design…

A technique for breaking down complex objectives. In an AND decomposition the parent is satisfied only if all sub-objectives are; in an OR decomposition the sub-objectives are design alternatives and satisfying one suffices, with the choice and its rationale recorded.

It forces a decision usually avoided: whether the sub-objectives are alternatives or simultaneous requirements. Leaving it ambiguous allows the objective to be declared met with whatever subset is convenient.

Related terms

Objective conflict

A tension between criteria that cannot be maximized simultaneously, such as speed versus control or cost versus experience.

Process objective

The specification of the outcome a process must produce, not a declarative sentence on a form.

Well-formed objective

An objective that satisfies all well-formedness rules across its nine components: purpose, stakeholders, outcomes, criteria, thresholds, constraints, risks, capabilities and evidence.