← VCE Software Development U3O2

Comparing alternative designs with a decision matrix

A table that scores each design idea against each criterion, then totals the scores (weighting key criteria) so the best design can be chosen using evidence.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 90, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 141, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Designing user interfaces and experiences — Module 24, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 28, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Innovative Digital Solutions — Module 18

Understanding Comparing alternative designs with a decision matrix in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: Listing criteria and designs sets up the table, so every design can be scored against every criterion. SUMPRODUCT multiplies each score by its weight and adds the results, giving the weighted total. The matrix gives scores you can point to, which makes the choice fairer and easier to justify. Each cell links one design with one criterion, for example 4 out of 5 for 'easy to read'. The totals show which design best meets the criteria overall. The highest total is usually the best choice. A justification refers to the matrix scores and the criteria. Personal preference alone is not evidence.

Common mistakes: The designs list should hold the alternative designs (Design A, Design B). Ease and Cost are criteria, so they belong on the criteria line. A design's total is found by adding its scores. It should be 4 + 2, not 4 - 2. Subtracting would punish a design for scoring well.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 86–109) and word search (Modules 86–119).

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Learning
Duo
What goes in the rows and columns of a decision matrix?
Design ideas down one side and criteria across the topColours down one side and fonts across the top
Matches
Design A: Easy 5, Readable 4, Total 8
↓
The total is wrong. 5 + 4 is 9, not 8, so the matrix would give misleading evidence.
Applying
Meanings
Term
decision matrix
Meaning
A table that scores each design idea against each criterion, then totals the scores (weighting key criteria) so the best design can be chosen using evidence.
Practice
Criteria | Weight | Design A | Design B
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:D2)
Check Answer
Spots
1criteria ← Ease, Cost, Look
2designs ← Ease, Cost

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Quick Questions

1. What goes in the rows and columns of a decision matrix?
A. Design ideas down one side and criteria across the top ✓
B. Colours down one side and fonts across the top
A decision matrix lists each alternative design against each design criterion, so every design can be scored on the same things.
2. Which is the best reason to use a decision matrix?
A. To make sure your favourite design always wins
B. To choose the best design using evidence, not just opinion ✓
The matrix gives scores you can point to, which makes the choice fairer and easier to justify.
3. Each cell in the matrix should contain...
A. A score for how well one design meets one criterion ✓
B. A paragraph about the whole project
Each cell links one design with one criterion, for example 4 out of 5 for 'easy to read'.
4. Your app must be very easy to use, and that matters most. What should you do?
A. Give every criterion exactly the same importance
B. Weight the 'ease of use' criterion so it counts for more ✓
Weighting multiplies a score by how important the criterion is, so key criteria have more influence on the total.
5. Design A scores 3 on 'readability', which has a weight of x2. What is the weighted score?
A. 6 ✓
B. 5
Weighted score = score x weight, so 3 x 2 = 6. Adding the weight (3 + 2) is a common mistake.

Match the Pairs

=SUM(B2:D2) → Adds up one design's scores across all the criteria to get its total
=C2*3 → Multiplies a score by a weight of 3 so an important criterion counts for more
Criteria go across the top of the matrix and the designs go down the side → Design | Easy to use | Readable | Total
A weighted total multiplies each score by its criterion weight, then adds them → =SUMPRODUCT(B2:D2,B$6:D$6)
Design A: Easy 5, Readable 4, Total 8 → The total is wrong. 5 + 4 is 9, not 8, so the matrix would give misleading evidence.
Final choice: Design B because I like it most → The choice is based on personal opinion, not on the matrix scores.

Key Term

decision matrix
A table that scores each design idea against each criterion, then totals the scores (weighting key criteria) so the best design can be chosen using evidence.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =SUM(B2:D2)
Hint: Type the function that adds up a design's scores across all the criteria to give its total.
2. =B2*$B$1
Hint: Type the operator that multiplies a score by the weight of its criterion.
3. =MAX(E2:E4)
Hint: Type the function that finds the highest total so the best design can be spotted.
4. =SUM(B3:D3)
Hint: Type the cell range holding the three criterion scores for the design in row 3.
5. =IF(E2>E3,"Design A","Design B")
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether Design A's total beats Design B's total.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A criteria ← Ease, Cost, Look
B designs ← Ease, Cost
C score(Design A, Ease) ← 4
Line B — The designs list should hold the alternative designs (Design A, Design B). Ease and Cost are criteria, so they belong on the criteria line.
Question 2
A scale ← 1 to 5
B score(A, Ease) ← 4
C score(A, Cost) ← 2
D total(A) ← 4 - 2
Line D — A design's total is found by adding its scores. It should be 4 + 2, not 4 - 2. Subtracting would punish a design for scoring well.
Question 3
A scale ← 1 to 5
B score(B, Cost) ← 9
C score(B, Look) ← 5
Line B — The scale is 1 to 5, so a score of 9 is not allowed. Every cell must use the same scale, for example score(B, Cost) ← 4.
Question 4
A weight(Ease) ← 3
B weight(Look) ← 1
C weighted ← score + weight
D total ← sum of weighted
Line C — A weighted score is the score multiplied by the weight (score * weight). Adding the weight would not make important criteria count for more.
Question 5
A criteria ← Ease, Cost, Look
B weight(Speed) ← 3
C weight(Look) ← 1
Line B — Weights can only be given to criteria on the list. Speed is not a criterion, so this line should be weight(Ease) ← 3.

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