eelmäärde

Eelmäärde is a term used in theoretical modeling to denote the smallest quantity of an input that guarantees a specified outcome under a given model. It serves as a planning primitive in fields such as operations research, economics, and resource management, where decisions must be made under uncertainty or with limited information.

Definition and computation: The eelmäärde is defined as the minimal input amount x that satisfies a target constraint, either with certainty in a deterministic setting or with a defined probability in a stochastic setting. In practice, it is determined by solving an optimization problem or by running simulations to identify the first input value that consistently achieves the goal. Depending on the model, the eelmäärde can be expressed as an absolute quantity, a cost level, or a proportion of demand.

Applications: In inventory systems, it can set reorder points or minimum order quantities; in production planning, it helps size batches to balance setup and holding costs; in environmental or public health planning, it defines starting levels for interventions or harvest quotas.

Variants and related concepts: Dynamic eelmäärde adapts over time as data accumulates, while relative eelmäärde expresses the threshold as a share of a larger target. The concept is related to thresholds, critical values, and minimum viable inputs in decision theory.

History and usage: The term appears primarily in niche modeling literature and has not achieved widespread standardization. Where used, definitions and calculation methods are tailored to the specific domain and data available.