Methods & Tools · Definition

Trade-off

A relationship in which improving one outcome requires accepting a worse result in another.

Definition

A relationship in which improving one outcome requires accepting a worse result in another. Follow the related lesson to see how this term changes a system boundary or decision.

Learn this term in context

Trade-offs, sensitivity and multi-objective outcomes

Outcome assessment reveals where cost, climate, water, land, health, resource efficiency and distribution improve together—or conflict.

REFERENCES

References & further reading

  1. U.S. Department of Energy (2024). Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium: Crosscutting Analysis Research.Open source