Messziel

Messziel is a term used in measurement science, particularly in German-speaking contexts, to denote the target or objective of a measurement. It specifies the result or value that a measurement effort aims to confirm, verify, or bound, and it guides the planning of measurement methods, data collection, and evaluation criteria.

In quality management and engineering, the Messziel helps align measurement activities with customer requirements and product specifications. It is related to, but distinct from, the nominal value or target dimension; it centers on what the measurement is intended to demonstrate about the process or part and the acceptable evidence of conformance given the measurement's uncertainty.

Determination of the Messziel is part of measurement planning. It is typically derived from design tolerances, functional requirements, and process capability, while accounting for the measurement method's accuracy, precision, and reliability. The Messziel is usually documented in a measurement plan or quality plan and informs instrumentation choice, sampling, and data analysis.

Example: For a nominal diameter of 50.00 mm with a tolerance of ±0.02 mm, the Messziel might be stated as to verify that the diameter lies within 49.98–50.02 mm and that the measurement uncertainty does not exceed a specified threshold, such as 0.005 mm. The Messziel should be feasible given the available equipment and the process capability to avoid unattainable goals.

Limitations and practical considerations include the alignment of the Messziel with measurement capability, potential drifts, and the need for measurement system analysis to ensure the target is achievable and meaningful for quality assessment. See also metrology, measurement uncertainty, calibration, and tolerance.