Initial disadvantage

Initial disadvantage is a disadvantage in the analyzed engineering system, the elimination of which is the goal of a project. The initial disadvantage is formulated as an inverted project goal.

Overview

Initial disadvantage is the starting point for the cause-effect chain analysis. It is formulated by inverting the goal of the project.

For example, if the project’s goal is to improve the final product’s purity, the initial disadvantage would be stated as: the product is contaminated. Similarly, if the project’s goal is to reduce the cost of engine assembly, the initial disadvantage would be phrased as: the cost of engine assembly is high.

Some projects have more than one goal. This means that they have several initial disadvantages, and separate CECAs are built for each of them. The disadvantages that come from branches of different initial disadvantages may be interconnected.