Definition:
Concept Number: *229
English Master: Fundamental Objective
Synonyms, Variations & Acronyms: Fundamental-Requirement
Detailing
They form the top Level of a relative hierarchy of objectives. They are the given objectives handed down to “us” from above.
Illustrations
The term “Fundamental-Objective” was coined by Keeney [Keeney92].
“I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government, that I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have Before us an ordeal of the most griEvous kind…. You ask, what is our Policy. I will say it is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our Policy. You ask, what is our Aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Type
Requirements.fundamental, a hierarchy Class
Examples
Rationale: The Concept of Fundamental-Objectives is useful because it helps us organize various priorities of objectives. The fundamentals are the ones we cannot question; just serve.
Quotation:
“The Fundamental-Objectives hierarchy specifies in detail the reasons for being interested in a given problem. For each of the Fundamental-Objectives, the answer to the question “Why is it important?” is simply “It is important.”
Source: [KEENEY92 page 78]
Notes
Note 1. All lower-than-fundamental Level objectives are part of “the design” to reach these Fundamental-Objectives.
Note 2. The “us” (in above definition) is a defined Level of the development hierarchy which receives Fundamental-Objectives (from our “masters”). It is a Level which defines and works towards our Strategic-Objectives, in order to satisfy those Fundamental-Objectives.
Keyed-Icons
any Requirements or objectives icons can be used to represent a Fundamental-Objective. If you want a direct iconic representation of the “Fundamental” then I suggest [@] a totally constrained “[…]” Goal “@”.
Drawn-Icons
none
Related-Concepts
Means-Objectives
Strategic-Objectives
History-of-Concept
none
This Concept entered by Diane O'Brien.