An idea of the adaptive approach to the construction (design) of measuring systems is developed. An analysis is given of the features of technical adaptive systems and also the specific character of the means of measurements of both their subclass and the object of application of the adaptation principle. On the basis of the analysis, the concept is set up of the construction of these means, according to which the given principle is considered as an instrument of their perfection and its application is extended to all stages of their design from the choice of the principle (principles) of the action to the organization of the procedure of the output control (primary verification) in their series production. The effectiveness of the concept is illustrated by examples of the solution of the earlier unsolved problems and statement of new problems