- Author
-
Hemenway, D.
- Title
- Performance VS Design Standards. Final Report.
- Coporate
- Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
-
NBS GCR 80-287
October 1980
42 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
standards
- Abstract
- This report compares and contrasts performance and design standards from an economic perspective. The research consisted of a careful examination of the literature and interviews with interested NBS personnel. The paper describes the characteristics of performance standards, explains why they are not used more often, and discusses particular areas where they may be appropriate. The report examines the design versus performance issue in automobile regulation and health care. There are suggestions for further NBS action to promote performance standards, and a listing of areas for further research. Nine brief cases at the end of the paper illustrate points made in the main text.