Inclusive merit

Having defined the different types of populations being considered, it is possible to enumerate the ratios between them. These can be used as measures of the inclusive merit of the product.

• The ratio between the whole and ideal populations gives an indication of the level of exclusion associated with the concept task, irrespective of the solutions developed. Changing the position of the product being considered, so that it is subject to different health and safety regulations or different legislation, is the only option for changing this ratio.
• The ratio between the negotiable maximum and ideal populations reflects the level of exclusion that has been generated by the development and refinement of the product requirements.
• The ratio between the included and negotiable maximum populations indicates the level of exclusion generated by the particular configuration of the product at that point in time. As the design progresses and the requirements are refined more explicitly (for example, in the light of the development of the prototypes), this ratio should approach unity.
• The ratio between the included and ideal populations is probably the most important as it provides a direct comparison of how good the product is compared to its theoretical maximum.
• Finally, the ratio between the included and intended populations shows how successfully the product reaches the intended sales target population, while the ratio between the negotiable maximum and intended populations shows the success of the product requirements in meeting that same target population.

The measures of inclusive merit are:

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