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Sensitivity Leverage Scan

Decision question

Which uncertain input should receive the next measurement dollar because it can most change the recommendation?

Baseline metric

Primary decision metric: variable operating cost, $/t olefin product.

One-at-a-time local sensitivity (+/-10%)

Input Delta metric (%) Relative leverage rank
Steam price +/-7.8 1
Ethylene selectivity -6.4 / +6.1 2
Reactor conversion -4.2 / +4.0 3
Electricity price +/-1.9 4
Column pressure drop +/-1.3 5

Interpretation

  • Steam price and selectivity dominate near the current operating point.
  • This matches the top risks in the Assumption Failure Map, confirming alignment between risk and leverage.
  • Pressure-drop uncertainty is currently second-order.

Action choice (this week)

  1. Validate steam contract assumptions with procurement by Friday 17:00.
  2. Add one catalyst performance data point in the next lab run and refresh selectivity bounds before the next decision gate.

What would change this ranking

  • If steam procurement is fixed by contract, selectivity becomes rank 1.
  • If purity constraints tighten, pressure-drop and separation variables may move up.

Mindsets demonstrated

Rubric snapshot (example)

  • Quantitative discipline: 4/4
  • Tradeoff clarity: 3/4
  • Decision defense: 3/4

Next in sequence: Decision Memo