Unique depth of scientific knowledge has allowed physical metallurgy to lead the development of a successful computational materials design methodology grounded in a system of fundamental databases. Expansion of the approach to embrace acceleration of the full development and qualification cycle has resulted in the first fully computationally designed and qualified material reaching the flight stage. The example of high-performance alloys provides the template for a general methodology of computational design for all materials. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.