What is MDO?

Some popular definitions for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO):

• A methodology for the design of complex engineering systems and subsystems that coherently exploits the synergism of mutually interacting phenomena.

• Optimal design of complex engineering systems which requires analysis that accounts for interactions amongst the disciplines (or parts of the system) and which seeks to synergistically exploit these interactions.

• "How to decide what to change, and to what extent to change it, when everything influences everything else."

For a more detailed description, refer to the Current State of the Art On Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) white paper.

Back to MDO TC Home Page

Last Updated: March 12, 2001

Anthony A. Giunta, aagiunt@sandia.gov