ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL DECISIONS IN THE PLANNING OF ANY SYSTEM IS THE SELECTION OF BEST CONCEPTUAL DESIGN WITH WHICH TO PROCEED TO DETAIL DESIGN AND ULTIMATELY MANUFACTURE. THIS PAPER DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF CONCEPTUAL CHOICE AND DISCUSSES AN APPROACH WHICH HAS EVOLVED THROUGH THE COMBINED INTERACTION OF HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY AND GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION IN THEIR USE OF THE TRADE STUDY METHODOLOGY.
