The Prioritization Matrix is a decision making tool that helps evaluate and select
the best option in situations where there are multiple, competing criteria. The tool
accomplishes this by weighting the significance of each criteria on a scale from
least to most important. Options are then evaluated against each criteria by
rating how well the option meets the criteria.
Scores are calculated for each option by taking the sum-product of the options
across the various weights. The option with the highest score, is the most
desirable option. Weights and ratings are non-linear (3, 5, and 9) to accentuate
the differences between the options.
Criteria should be worded so that options that strongly meet the criteria have
strong positive impact. In addition, it is often useful to assign objective (numeric)
values to the ratings.
For example, it might be desirable for an option to be inexpensive. The correct
phasing for the criterion might be "Inexpensive to implement". Furthermore,
"inexpensive" could be quantified by rating options that fall between $50 and
$100 as strongly meeting the criteria, $100 and $200 as meeting the criteria and
over $200 as minimally meeting the criteria.
How to Use
1. Click on "Priorization Matrix" on the tab.
2. In the dialog box type in the name of decision to evaluate:
If you wish to edit and existing Prioritization Matrix instead of start a new
one, select it from the list instead of typing a new name.
3. Click the Open button.
4. Select the Yellow Prioritization Matrix tab.
5. Complete the header block with decision topic, project name, revision (date)
and comments.
6. Enter criteria (one per cell) across the top row. Click the "Add Criteria" button
to add more columns.
7. For each criterion, assign a weight (3, 5, or 9) in the cell above it. Enter a 9 if
the criteria is very important to the decision relative to the other criteria, a 5 if
it is important, and 3 if it is least important.
8. Down the Item column, enter the name or description of an item (option) to
evaluate. Enter one item in each row. To add more items, click the "Add
Rows" button.
9. In the body of the matrix, assign a 3, 5, or 9 for each intersection of item and
criterion. Use a 9 if the item strongly meets the criterion, a 5 if it meets the
criterion, and a 3 if it minimally meets the criterion.
10. When finished evaluating, click the "Sort" button to arrange the items from
highest to lowest score. The item with the highest score represents the best
alternative.
11. To email a copy of this matrix, click the E-Mail button. (Available if the
workstation is configured to send email.)
12. To print a copy of the the matrix, click the Print button.
13. To save the matrix and return to Catena, close Excel. (Excel will prompt
you to save the matrix if changes have been made.)
If you wish to edit and existing Prioritization Matrix instead of start a new
one, select it from the list instead of typing a new name.
