The "small factor change" problem, where an experimental design strategy is used to find a certain amount of improvement in a response while changing the factor levels as little as possible, is addressed. Using a recently developed test bed for response surfaces, we have simulated a broad range of response surface functions and collected empirical results on the performance of seven experimental design strategies when confronted with this problem. I. Introduction In this research, a set of experimental design strategies is applied to a situation that we call the small factor change problem to determine which of these strategies performs best on selected measures. The goal of experimentation in the small factor change problem is to gain a specific amount of improvement in a response while changing the factor levels as little as possible. As an example, consider an automobile design problem where there is a specified miles per gallon (MPG) rating desired. Some of the primary factors th...