82.6k views
1 vote
Which is the most appropriate way to improve the ambiguous terms (improved. better. faster. superior. higher quality)?

A. Quantify how much better or faster constitutes adequate improvement in a specific functional area or quality aspect.
B. Explain how either the developer or the user can make this Judgment.
C. Specify the minimum acceptable time in which the system performs some action.
D. State the maximum and minimum acceptable values of some parameter.

User Cbartel
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

To improve ambiguous terms like ‘improved’ or ‘higher quality,’ it is necessary to quantify these improvements by setting clear criteria and constraints that specify measurable values or conditions to be met by the design or system. This quantification helps to ensure clear communication, effective evaluation, and offers a basis for comparison.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate way to improve ambiguous terms such as ‘improved,’ ‘better,’ ‘faster,’ ‘superior,’ and ‘higher quality’ would be to quantify the improvements by giving specific values and conditions that the design or system must satisfy. This involves setting clear criteria and constraints. Criteria refer to measurable values like speed in miles per hour or quality in terms of failure rates, which provide a basis for comparison. Constraints, on the other hand, are conditions or limits within which the system must operate, such as 'no more than 2 hours of downtime per month' or 'system response time under 1 second.'

To make these terms less ambiguous:

  • Identify criteria and constraints that can be applied to a design, to determine measurable and enforceable standards.
  • Create accessible and understandable units or scales for quantification, such as using 'song awesomeness' with subunits that might describe melody complexity or lyrical creativity.
  • Deal with imperfect information by considering the bounds of estimates and using significant figures that are reasonable for the context, while also ensuring logical consistency and real-world comparability of the data.

By implementing these changes, one would ensure clear communication and effective evaluation and comparison of design quality. It is also essential to work collaboratively in determining the appropriate quantitative or qualitative data types that best represent the system’s functional area or quality aspect.

User Pingless
by
8.1k points