1. An apparatus, comprising: a processor to calculate a planning allocation of resources for stages of product life cycle of a system comprising a plurality of components, based upon characterizing a system attribute of interest by an uncertainty of usage of said system, said uncertainty of usage described using random variables whose values are characterized by a probability distribution that describes a potential usage of said components; and a graphical user interface for interacting with a display device selectively permitting information of said planning allocation of resources to be viewed by a user.