Rational design

Abstract

Instead of viewing it as a professional pursuit with a central, social mission, good design may also be viewed as a technical exercise in optimal problem solving. This understanding of good design is the dominant perspective in most engineering and other technical programs. Decision theorist Herbert Simon’s influential characterization of good design as optimal problem solving is described and explored. On this view, good design is rational design in the sense that any rational being would want designs that are objectively optimal. Simon’s view is highly general in the kind of design problems it applies to and what constitutes an optimal solution. However, it also involves unrealistic assumptions about the knowledge and objectivity of problem solvers. A more realistic characterization of problem solving is provided with the concept of boundedly rational design. On this view, increasing knowledge is key to good design. This view sets the scene for the following chapters in which knowledge derived from the social sciences is examined for its relevance to good design.