The Ashby Principle

The Ashby Principle, named after engineer Norman Ashby, states that designing a system or product involves balancing multiple conflicting requirements. Improving one aspect often impacts others negatively, so optimal design depends on prioritizing which characteristics are most important. For example, making a device lighter might reduce its strength, or increasing speed could raise energy consumption. The principle emphasizes the need to find the best trade-offs among these competing factors to develop efficient, effective solutions that meet overall goals rather than optimizing a single attribute.