Method and apparatus for evaluating robustness of proposed solution to constraint problem and considering robustness in developing a constraint problem solution

A method for operating a system, comprising:

• implementing a solution derived using an objective function that includes at least one term accounting for robustness.

An apparatus for evaluating robustness of a proposed solution to a constraint problem, comprising:

• a processor generating operational output data for at least first and second modified versions of the proposed solution, the first modified version having at least one control variable of the proposed solution perturbed in a first direction and the second modified version having the at least one control variable of the proposed solution perturbed in a second direction, the operational output data being generated by a computer-implemented simulation of a system containing the constraint problem, the at least one control variable being an input parameter for the computer-implemented simulation;
• and
• a user interface presenting at least a portion of the generated operation output data.