< Thinking Tools

This decision matrix can be used to choose among several new car alternatives being considered for purchase.

Mazda 6Nissan AltimaNissan Maxima
Safety
High = 5
5
Cell contribution
is 5x5=25
45
Reliability
High = 5
535
Low Cost
Medium = 4
442
Space
Medium = 4
445
Service
Medium =4
544
Performance
Low = 2
545
Aesthetics
Low = 2
535
Total:12297114


Begin by creating an affinity diagram on the topic “What is important to consider when choosing a new car”. Using the resulting affinity diagram as a starting point, create a tree diagram with the topic “What decision criteria will be used to choose a new car”.

Each row label represents a decision criterion identified from the tree diagram. The importance of each criterion is determined, quantified and recorded. Here high importance is assigned a weight of 5. Each column represents an alternative being evaluated, in this case three different car models. The rating of each alternative for each criterion is decided, quantified, and recorded in the corresponding cell. For example, the Mazda 6 is high in safety, so it is rated 5. The contribution of that rating is calculated as the score (5) multiplied by the criterion weight (5) for a total of 25 for that cell. The total score of each alternative is computed by summing the contribution of each cell in the column representing that alternative. Here the Mazda 6 gets the highest score of 122.

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