Pugh Analysis Tutorial

Tutorial

When to use this tool

The Pugh Analysis or Pugh Concept Selection Process is an iterative process for narrowing down a list of potential product concepts to a single superior concept. Prior to using the Pugh Concept Selection Matrix, concepts are identified via brainstorming and other methods and are based on the requirements as identified through the voice of the customer process and Quality Function Deployment (QFD). Benchmarking identifies a datum against which each concept can be evaluated. The requirements form the basis for the evaluation criteria.

During the selection process, features of different concepts can be combined to form superior concept and may even replace the datum. The process is repeated until a superior concept is developed. This process, also known as the Pugh Method or Pugh Analysis, was developed in the late 1980's by Stuart Pugh of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland as a qualitative approach for selecting concept alternatives. Mr. Pugh's ideas on design, called Total Design, are expressed in the book of the same name.

How to use this tool in EngineRoom

1. Select Pugh Analysis from the Analyze menu.
2. Fill out the Criteria along the left column.
3. Use the weighting dropdown to indicate the strength of a particular criterion.
4. Fill out the Concepts across the top that you would like to narrow down.
5. Fill out the center part of the grid with a +, -, or Same, indicating that the given Concept will improve the criterion, harm the criterion, or have no effect.
6. Refer to the bottom where the Sums of the Positives, Sames, and Negatives, weighted by each Criterion's rating, are shown. Use these numbers to choose a solution that maximizes the positives while diminishing the negatives.

A Pugh Analysis example is shown below:

Preceding Tool

A Pugh Analysis Matrix can be created from either a CTQC Diagram, a Cause and Effect Matrix, or a QFD (Basic).

Next Tool

A Pugh Analysis can push the Criteria and their Weightings to a Design Scorecard