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Matrix mode

Matrix mode is used for two-dimensional assessments on a number of elements. This is particularly useful when seeking qualitative views on issues such as project risk/reward, or cost/benefit.

The key to this is that you are looking to identify not only the opinion of the participants, but where they differ in opinion. For example, if you are using "Probability verses Impact" and the element is "competition cut prices". If pretty much everyone selects "low probability" and "low impact", then you may well choose to ignore it as an issue. If everyone rated it as "high probability" and "high impact", then you are likely to need to worry about it. But most interesting is when some people vote in one dimension low, and others vote it high! What is it that some people know that others don't? Time for a discussion - and if you need to, you can reassess the element afterwards.

The purpose of the Matrix facility

The matrix analysis facility gives you "two-dimensional" feedback on ideas/options based on a 4 by 4 plot, with negligible (nil), low, medium or high choices on the Y-axis and negligible (nil), low, medium or high choices on the X-axis. In version 3, you can choose the dimensions to suit your requirements, from 2 to 10 options in each dimension for complete flexibility.

To illustrate the matrix assessment tool, we will consider the probability / impact grid, which is the key tool for risk assessment. Each participant is asked what they believe the likelihood is of a particular risk (or event) occurring. They are then asked what they think the impact would be if the risk (or event) occurred. The keypad system provides a very rapid means by which to gather opinions from all involved in the discussion. The probability verses impact assessment is carried out for each risk in turn. For each risk element, the result of this process is a visual representation illustrating the spread of opinion. If you have consensus, then you may have confidence in what actions to take. If the results of the probability/ impact assessment show that you do not have consensus, then time can be devoted to further discussion of the issues involved. The software can then be used to reevaluate the risks, where a differences of opinion emerged. If you are using Decision Explorer® (rather than manually entering a list of elements - risks or events - for consideration) then, when differences of opinion emerge, you can elaborate your Decision Explorer® model with the explanations, consequences and commentary which emerge from the ensuing discussions.

The probability / impact assessment is very useful in determining how much effort you should put into discussing and planning around an issue. Risks will tend toward one of the following:

The matrix facility is used to:

• Gather a two-dimensional assessment of options / ideas / events
• Give a qualitative indication of elements which (particularly in a risk setting) may need to be quantitatively analyzed.

In use

The matrix mode is started using the Activity Wizard, and configured using the page shown here.

A number of predefined pairs are provided for quick use, and you can define any dimensions that you want yourself using the custom option. When using the latter, you can customize the position of the graph highlight so as to focus attention appropriately (on the "danger corner").

The "Allow Nil option" controls whether participants are allowed to select a "negligible" choice as well as low/medium/high. This is useful in situations where you want to avoid everyone going for the "medium" option and gives a choice on a four point range - nil/low/medium/high. Alternatively you can specify a custom range with from 2 to 10 items.

Once you have your dimensions chosen, you click Next to choose how the results graphs are to be shown.

The default is to show the results graph after each element has been assessed, which allows for immediate discussion of the results. It depends on the purpose of your workshop whether or not you choose to show the results graphs immediately. It is obviously faster not to show the results graphs as you go, but to go straight into the next question. If you choose this, you can either show the graphs at the end of the whole activity, or not at all.

Agenda preparation

The activity wizard is very quick to use, and therefore ideal for informal workshops and impromptu meetings, but you can also create a full agenda for a meeting, preparing all the options in advance. Such agendas allow you to quickly load and activate a meeting, and you can save them as templates for repeated use. Of course you can also use impromptu activities in pre-prepared workshops too.

Matrix input

The operation itself is done using a large-font display. At the top is shown the dimension to consider, and below that is the element under review. The options that the participants can choose are displayed large underneath. Note that the toolbar is hidden during the assessment, to avoid distractions.

The bottom of the window shows the number of participants still to vote. Once all the votes have been cast, the display will change according to the graph options selected in the wizard (see above). To move onto the next item, select the large arrow button on the display, or hit the space bar.

Results graph

The display here shows items of high investment and low return highlighted (typically to indicate "danger"). Note also that there is a shaded ellipse in the middle which represents the average position - this can be controlled using the menu.

The graph for the matrix can be configured in various ways. The blocks can be either fixed size, or auto-scaled. The background can be configured to be plain or gradient colored. If you wish to show a corporate logo, or custom background to match your PowerPoint presentation, then you can load an image file. Finally you can choose a 2D or 3D display. All of the options are remembered between uses, so once you have it configured as you like, you can keep it that way.

Meeting review

As with all of the data in Impact Explorer™, the software automatically saves the graphs to disk as you go, and records the meeting information at the same time. This means that you can be assured that your results are safe on disk, and also that you can review the meeting (or restart it later) for report generation. An export to Microsoft Word® is available to save you typing the basic meeting details in, and can include the full results as well as the pictures generated.