AbstractThis is an unclassified treatment of some problems in military worth which arise in the development of large systems. Recent studies in measures of effectiveness and value theory have been used to define this part of the discussion. Although the discussion will have points in common with many “large” systems, the model used in this discussion is a typical real‐time digital data system for executive use. Factors and constraints such as fund limits, pricing, service life, lead time and environment are treated. A typical practical attack on the problem of measuring the military worth of such a system is included. Most systems in this class have not yet accumulated sufficient life in service for measurement and determination of results of plans to “maximize” their military worth. Accordingly, this part of the discussion is restricted to some suggestions concerning defining and measuring military worth of these systems.