FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS (FPS)

Based on EU
Standard
EN 12973:2000
 What is FPS?

FPS is a document that describes user needs

in terms of functional performance without
reference to a specific solution.

It specifies the evaluation criteria, levels and

tolerance to various functions which are
acceptable to the user.
 FPS - ELEMENTS

FUNCTION: expression of a need (active verb + measurable noun)

CRITERIA: criteria that will be used to evaluate and measure if the

function is accomplished; generally, there are several criteria per
function

LEVEL (Tolerance): range of acceptable results for each functional

criterion; can come from an existing performance level, or from an
objective to be reached

FLEXIBILITY: the negotiability of the function-criteria-level

 FPS Process

Clients,
Customers
Implement Stakeholders

Employees

ion
t
Final Design

nta

NE
me

ED
Business/
ple

S
Im Government
Conceptual, Objectives
Preliminary
Design Functional Performance
Specification

Flexibility Function Analysis

Criteria,
Performance Levels
 Design Strategy

Internal
Stakeholders
Requirements

Implementation

NEEDS

Execute Detail
Design
Function
Analysis

Conceptual
Functional Design
Performance
Specification
Preliminary
Design
 FPS - PRINCIPLES

„ Describes the need in specific terms

„ Indicates any uncertainties or inaccuracies related to the need
„ Specifies the constraints (while trying to keep them to a
minimum)
„ Gives the designer free rein and responsibility for solutions
„ Encourages discussion of value optimization between
partners
 Flexibility

The negotiability of the function-criteria-level

F0 – no flexibility
F1 – minimal flexibility
F2 – some flexibility
F3 – very flexible
Mission of the Project

Mission

How?

Mission of
Project
 FPS Diagram

C h a r a c te r iz a tio n o f
F u n c tio n a l T r e e th e N e e d s
F u n c tio n a l F u n c tio n F u n c tio n F u n c tio n
M is s io n C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility
G ro u p s Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

H ow ? W hy? F u n c tio n F u n c tio n

C r ite r ia Level
F le x . 1
1 .1 .1 1 .1 .1 n F le x . 2
F u n c tio n

Functional Group 1
Characterization of
1 .1 F le x . 3
C r ite r ia Level
F le x . 4
F u n c tio n F u n c tio n
F u n c tio n a l 1 .1 .2 1 .1 .2 n + 1
G ro u p 1 C r ite r ia Level F le x . 5

F u n c tio n
1 .2 C r ite r ia Level F le x . 6
F u n c tio n
1 .2 .1
C r ite r ia Level F le x . 7

C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility

M is s io n F u n c tio n
of 2 .1 .1 n
P r o je c t C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility
F u n c tio n
2 .1 .1

Functional Group 2
Characterization of
C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility
F u n c tio n
2 .1 .1 n + 1
F u n c tio n
C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility
2 .1

C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility

F u n c tio n F u n c tio n
F u n c tio n a 2 .1 .2 2 .1 .2 n
l G ro u p 2 C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility

C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility

F u n c tio n
2 .2
C r ite r ia Level F le x ib ility
 Advantages of FPS

ƒ Favours
ƒ dialogue between business areas and service providers
ƒ innovation

ƒ Defines
ƒ framework for responding to bids
ƒ framework for finding solutions

ƒ Facilitates
ƒ preparation of claims
Finding the Functions

• Intuitive Research
(Brainstorming)
• Environmental Analysis
• Sequential Analysis
• Movements and Effort Analysis
• Reference product Analysis
(Comparative Study)
• Rules and Regulations Analysis
 Intuitive Research

„ The Team identifies functions

based on individual and collective
experiences, which are derived
from knowledge of the problem.
 Environmental Analysis

In this phase, all elements external to the product

that interact with it are identified as its
environment; these elements are called
interactors or elements.
Interactor/ Element
Interactor/ Element e.g. external
e.g. People environement
Adaptive Function

Product
Interactor/ Element
e.g. Other Systems Interactor/ Element
e.g. Systems
Interactive Function conected through
product
 Sequential Analysis

„ Functions are found by analyzing the sequence

of actions required in the product life cycle.
 Movements and Efforts Analysis

Movements and effort analysis:

Functions are found by analyzing the
movements required to accomplish a
process and the stresses the product must
resist.
 Reference Product Analysis

Similar to Product Benchmarking

ƒ Can involve deconstructing reference products
(typically competitive products).
ƒ Determine functions of each component of
reference product.
 Summary

FPS is a document that describes user needs

in terms of functional performance without
reference to a specific solution.

It specifies the evaluation criteria, levels and

tolerance to various functions which are
acceptable to the user.

FPS helps eliminate surprises

 References

EN 12973:2000

Value Management Practice, Michel Thiry,

ISBN: 1-880410-14-1