Convenables

Convenables is a term used in some branches of decision theory and optimization to describe a subset of feasible alternatives that are considered practically suitable under defined criteria. The word stems from convenable, meaning appropriate or suitable, and is used to distinguish options that are not only feasible but also acceptable in practice due to cost, risk, or computation considerations.

A convenable option is one that satisfies all stated constraints and achieves near-optimal performance within a specified tolerance. In formal terms, convenables comprise feasible solutions that lie within a maximum allowable deviation from the best-known value or objective, balancing mathematical optimality with real-world practicality. The convenable set therefore focuses on usable solutions rather than a single, potentially expensive optimum.

The concept emerged in optimization discussions during the 2010s as a way to manage large solution spaces and uncertainty, where exact optimality may be infeasible to attain or unnecessary for decision-makers. It provides a framework for screening alternatives that are robust and implementable while still offering good performance.

Applications of convenables appear in fields such as supply chain design, scheduling, and resource allocation, where practitioners must choose among many feasible plans under constraints and uncertainty. By concentrating on convenables, organizations can streamline decision processes, reduce computation, and select options with acceptable cost, risk, and practicality.

Related ideas include feasible solution, admissible set, near-optimality, robust optimization, and Pareto efficiency.