design to cost

"Design to cost is a management strategy and supporting methodologies to achieve an affordable product by treating target cost as an independent design parameter that needs to be achieved during the development of a product." [1]

Applications of this methodology include the dollar a gallon gasoline project.

(Fast links)

http://htyp.org/Dollar_a_gallon_gasoline

http://htyp.org/Penny_a_kWh

http://htyp.org/Hundred_dollars_a_kg

http://htyp.org/Miller%27s_method

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5485 (Recent discussion and details)