FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN - Title Page - MIT

de Neufville + Scholtes D R A F T September 30, 2009PREFACEThis book focuses on the challenge of creating best value in large-scale, long-lasting projectsthrough flexible engineering design. This best value has two components, first, the immediatevalue of the initial performance and, second, the long-term value associated with making thesystem adaptable to changing circumstances. An uncertain future provides a range ofopportunities and risks. We can best deal with these eventualities, we can maximize our expectedvalue, if we engineer flexibility into the project from the start.Much of today’s design practice focuses on “design for today”, the achievement ofacceptable initial performance in the short-run. This is not surprising. Government and publicsector organizations normally invest in large-scale systems after they sense a compelling gap intoday’s service provision. Companies invest to exploit an opportunities that they have identifiedtoday. Closing an evident gap or reaping immediate profits appeals to users, politicians, chiefexecutives, shareholders, to all involved.However, any large-scale investment creates a value in two ways: short-term payoffs andcomplementary benefits in providing options for long-term adaptability. Unfortunately, the longertermfuture is not clear, and long-term benefits are difficult to assess. Short-term, myopic planningthus tends to disregard long-term consequences. However, design that does not account forrange of possibilities that may occur over a long lifetime risks leaving significant value untapped,risks underperforming overall. We argue for a better balance of the short and long-term sourcesof value in engineering design.This book helps developers of major projects create value by using the power of designflexibility to exploit uncertainties in technological systems. You have the opportunity to increasethe expected value of your projects significantly by cleverly designing projects to manage risks.Flexible design is key to success, as this book illustrates throughout. Designs that you can adaptto new circumstances enable you to avoid downside risks and exploit opportunities. You can thususe flexible design to improve your ability to manage your financial and social risks andopportunities. Technical professionals who can plan and execute a project to adapt to newcircumstances can substantially increase the value obtained. The project team can use thedesign of projects to promote the needs to time, phase and diversify investments strategically.This book is for all current and future leaders of the development, operation, and use oflarge-scale, long-lasting engineering systems. Your current or prospective responsibilities mayinclude, but are not limited to, projects implementing:• Communication networks: fiber optic cables, cellular devices, and fleets of satellites;• Energy production, transmission and distribution: thermal and nuclear generators,hydroelectric plants, wind farms and other renewable sources;Part 1: Chapters 1 to 3 Page 2 of 69