162 Satisficing

A problem-solving strategy that seeks a satisfactory versus optimal solution.

The best design decision is not always the optimal design decision. In certain circumstances, the success of a design is better served by design decisions that roughly satisfy (i.e., satisfice), rather than optimally satisfy, design requirements. Satisficing is the basis for iterative prototyping, design thinking, the concept of minimum-viable products, and most real-world problem solving. The idea is that it is better to get something working quickly that you can then learn from and build on than to spend a much longer time trying to design and build perfection.1

Satisficing should be considered for three kinds of design problems:

  1. Problems that are ...

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