How does it handle assumptions during analysis?

The skill maintains a dedicated Assumption Register and requires explicit user approval for every assumption before the final report is allowed to be generated.

What kind of visualizations can it generate?

Users can select from decision matrix heatmaps, radar charts, tornado diagrams for sensitivity analysis, fishbone diagrams, and Monte Carlo win-probability histograms.

What is the DAU 9-Step Trade Study Process?

It is a standardized engineering methodology used to evaluate and select from competing alternatives through problem definition, data collection, criteria weighting, and systematic scoring.

Can I use this without providing source documents?

No, the skill enforces strict guardrails requiring all data to be grounded in registered sources like datasheets or test reports to ensure objective, defensible results.

Trade Study Analysis & Decision Matrix

Name: Trade Study Analysis & Decision Matrix
Author: ddunnock

byddunnock

•

Productivity & Workflow

Executes the rigorous DAU 9-Step Trade Study Process to facilitate objective engineering decisions and comparative analyses.

This skill provides a structured framework for engineering decision-making by guiding users through the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) 9-step trade study process. It enforces strict data-grounding requirements, ensuring every claim is backed by registered sources like datasheets or test reports. The skill automates complex workflows including root cause analysis, criteria weighting, data normalization, and sensitivity analysis, while maintaining rigorous 'gates' that require explicit user approval. It is ideal for systems engineers and project managers who need defensible, source-backed comparisons of technical alternatives accompanied by professional visualizations like decision matrices, tornado diagrams, and Monte Carlo distributions.

Key Features

01Root cause analysis tools including 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams

02Step-by-step DAU 9-Step Trade Study Process implementation

031 GitHub stars

04Source-grounded data collection with mandatory registration and citation

05Comprehensive sensitivity analysis including Tornado and Monte Carlo simulations

06Customizable report generation with multi-dimensional visualizations

Use Cases

01Conducting formal trade-off studies for engineering design reviews (PDR/CDR)

02Comparing technical alternatives for complex hardware or software components

03Evaluating vendor solutions based on documented performance criteria and cost

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add ddunnock/claude-plugins trade-study-analysis

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill