Simultaneous Optimization of Multiple Responses Using a Weighted Desirability Function

The object of multiresponse optimization is to determine conditions on the independent variables that lead to optimal or nearly optimal values of the response variables. Derringer and Suich (1980) extended Harrington’s (1965) procedure by introducing more general transformations of the response into desirability functions. The core of the desirability approach condenses a multivariate optimization into a univariate one. But because of the subjective nature of this approach, inexperience on the part of the user in assessing a product’s desirability value may lead to inaccurate results. To compensate for this defect, a weighted desirability function is introduced which takes into consideration the variances of the responses.