Design Tradeoffs

Or you fold "small" into "good".

Sometimes you just have to say 'no' to a potential client, even if you're in dire straits -- if they can't see why they can't have all three sides of the product triangle, they probably can't understand the three sides of the project management triangle either, and will get bent out of shape when they find out that you actually want to get _paid_ for your work, heaven forbid.

Often good means performs the perfect job, but it must the size of a postage stamp, cost less than $1..

An often seen example is often expecting to get broadcast audio and video quality out of a camera smaller than a webcam, at full HD frame rates, with half hour full quality storage in MPEG-4 in real time, on postage stamp size PCB and costs $1.

That is what I am doing too often saying 'no', and in one case definitely does not understand the triangle/square.

I see projects having 4 factors and a variation in one factor effects the other 3.

QUALITY COST TIME EXPERINCE

If you want a cheaper product then you can reduce the quality / specification.

AND another major problem is the client's have done they business plan homework for the product.

Joe

I sense a bit of cynism about their 'homework' there..

Sorry - I meant "haven;t" done their home work.

I had some asked me to build an RF product.... but with out understanding what was required and how much work was involved... more than just the electronics..... tooling for plastics, hardware and mechatonics... Geez..

Joe