Source - Straw Man Proposal (McKinsey)

In space sector it is common to talk about the spacecraft as a straw man. I have some doubts about the definitions so in this note I will write what is a straw man proposal.

The straw man proposal is a way to create a concept to propose a solution. It is a working method in which the team members propose solutions to this straw man, and little by little it will clarify the solution. It is an improvised method. Such straw men are easy to pull apart, destroy, and rebuild. This is also the underlying idea of this problem solving method; it concerns a proposal for potential improvement, with room for additional innovations and/or adjustments.

In space is highly use to create the concept of the mission.