Sensitivity Analysis Overview

During a sensitivity analysis, Optimetrics explores the vicinity of the design point to determine the sensitivity of the design to small changes in variables. The variables and their attributes define the design point, the problem around which the sensitivity analysis is performed.

When Optimetrics performs a sensitivity analysis, its goal is to calculate the second-order regression polynomials for all of the design's output parameters. The algorithm first determines an appropriate interval for each variable. The intervals are further sub-divided according to the available number of iterations and variables. If the primary output is not used, the specified initial displacement values define those intervals.

When all of the design calculations are complete, the second-order polynomials are fitted for all the output parameters. Optimetrics then reports the following quantities:

• Regression value at the current variable value.
• First derivative of the regression.
• Second derivative of the regression.