1. Define objectives and scope
2. Establish evaluation criteria
3. Generate alternatives
4. Collect data for each alternative
5. Score alternatives against criteria
6. Analyze results and sensitivity
7. Make recommendation
8. Document decision

Methods for weight assignment:

1. Direct assignment
   - Assign percentages directly
   - Total must equal 100%

2. Pairwise comparison
   - Compare each pair of criteria
   - Calculate weights from preferences

3. Swing weighting
   - Consider range of performance
   - Assign weights based on swing importance

4. AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process)
   - Structured pairwise comparison
   - Consistency check included

1. Define the function to be achieved
2. Generate alternatives without judgment
3. Consider:
   - Prior art and benchmarks
   - Different technologies
   - Component variations
   - Configuration options
4. Combine and refine ideas
5. Screen for feasibility

Pugh Matrix:
- Rows: Evaluation criteria
- Columns: Concept alternatives
- Datum: Baseline or best-known solution
- Scoring: + (better), - (worse), S (same)

| Criteria | Weight | Datum | Alt-A | Alt-B | Alt-C |
|----------|--------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| Crit 1   | 0.30   | 0     | +     | -     | S     |
| Crit 2   | 0.25   | 0     | S     | +     | +     |
| Crit 3   | 0.20   | 0     | -     | +     | +     |
| Crit 4   | 0.15   | 0     | +     | S     | -     |
| Crit 5   | 0.10   | 0     | S     | +     | S     |

Calculate for each alternative:
- Sum of positives
- Sum of negatives
- Weighted sum of positives
- Weighted sum of negatives
- Net score

Use results to:
- Eliminate weak concepts
- Identify best features
- Create hybrid concepts
- Iterate evaluation

Example 5-point scale:
5 = Excellent, exceeds requirements significantly
4 = Good, exceeds requirements
3 = Acceptable, meets requirements
2 = Marginal, partially meets requirements
1 = Poor, does not meet requirements
0 = Unacceptable, disqualifying

Or numerical scale tied to requirements:
Score = (Performance - Threshold) / (Goal - Threshold)

Total Score = Sum(Weight_i x Score_i)

Example:
| Criteria | Weight | Alt-A Score | Alt-A Weighted |
|----------|--------|-------------|----------------|
| Crit 1   | 0.30   | 4           | 1.20           |
| Crit 2   | 0.25   | 3           | 0.75           |
| Crit 3   | 0.20   | 5           | 1.00           |
| Crit 4   | 0.15   | 3           | 0.45           |
| Crit 5   | 0.10   | 4           | 0.40           |
| Total    | 1.00   |             | 3.80           |

1. Weight sensitivity
   - Vary weights +/- 10-20%
   - Identify crossover points
   - Determine robust winner

2. Score sensitivity
   - Vary scores +/- 1 point
   - Consider uncertainty in data
   - Identify close decisions

3. Tornado diagram
   - Show impact of each factor
   - Prioritize data improvement

Required sections:
1. Executive summary
2. Objectives and scope
3. Evaluation criteria and weights
4. Alternatives description
5. Data sources and assumptions
6. Scoring rationale
7. Results and analysis
8. Sensitivity analysis
9. Recommendation
10. Appendices (detailed data)

{
  "study_objective": "string",
  "scope": {
    "system": "string",
    "decision_type": "concept|configuration|supplier|technology"
  },
  "requirements": "array of requirement references",
  "alternatives": [
    {
      "name": "string",
      "description": "string",
      "data_sources": "array"
    }
  ],
  "stakeholders": "array of reviewers",
  "constraints": {
    "budget": "number",
    "schedule": "string",
    "must_meet": "array of requirements"
  }
}

{
  "trade_study_report": {
    "document_number": "string",
    "revision": "string"
  },
  "criteria": [
    {
      "name": "string",
      "weight": "number",
      "rationale": "string"
    }
  ],
  "results": {
    "scoring_matrix": "2D array",
    "weighted_scores": "array",
    "ranking": "array"
  },
  "sensitivity_analysis": {
    "robust_criteria": "array",
    "sensitive_criteria": "array",
    "crossover_points": "array"
  },
  "recommendation": {
    "selected_alternative": "string",
    "rationale": "string",
    "risks": "array",
    "next_steps": "array"
  }
}