Comparing alternative designs with a decision matrix
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. What goes in the rows and columns of a decision matrix?
2. Which is the best reason to use a decision matrix?
3. Each cell in the matrix should contain...
4. Your app must be very easy to use, and that matters most. What should you do?
5. Design A scores 3 on 'readability', which has a weight of x2. What is the weighted score?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1=SUM(B2:D2) | AThe choice is based on personal opinion, not on the matrix scores. | |
| 2=C2*3 | BDesign | Easy to use | Readable | Total | |
| 3Criteria go across the top of the matrix and the designs go down the side | C=SUMPRODUCT(B2:D2,B$6:D$6) | |
| 4A weighted total multiplies each score by its criterion weight, then adds them | DThe total is wrong. 5 + 4 is 9, not 8, so the matrix would give misleading evidence. | |
| 5Design A: Easy 5, Readable 4, Total 8 | EMultiplies a score by a weight of 3 so an important criterion counts for more | |
| 6Final choice: Design B because I like it most | FAdds up one design's scores across all the criteria to get its total |
C
Definitions
decision matrix
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
=___(B2:D2)
2.
=B2_$B$1
3.
=___(E2:E4)
4.
=SUM(_____)
5.
=IF(E2_E3,"Design A","Design B")
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
criteria ← Ease, Cost, Look
B
designs ← Ease, Cost
C
score(Design A, Ease) ← 4
Question 2
A
scale ← 1 to 5
B
score(A, Ease) ← 4
C
score(A, Cost) ← 2
D
total(A) ← 4 - 2
Question 3
A
scale ← 1 to 5
B
score(B, Cost) ← 9
C
score(B, Look) ← 5
Question 4
A
weight(Ease) ← 3
B
weight(Look) ← 1
C
weighted ← score + weight
D
total ← sum of weighted
Question 5
A
criteria ← Ease, Cost, Look
B
weight(Speed) ← 3
C
weight(Look) ← 1
Answer Key
Comparing alternative designs with a decision matrix
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — Design ideas down one side and criteria across the top
Q2
B — To choose the best design using evidence, not just opinion
Q3
A — A score for how well one design meets one criterion
Q4
B — Weight the 'ease of use' criterion so it counts for more
Q5
A — 6
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=SUM(B2:D2) → Adds up one design's scores across all the criteria to get its total
Q2
=C2*3 → Multiplies a score by a weight of 3 so an important criterion counts for more
Q3
Criteria go across the top of the matrix and the designs go down the side → Design | Easy to use | Readable | Total
Q4
A weighted total multiplies each score by its criterion weight, then adds them → =SUMPRODUCT(B2:D2,B$6:D$6)
Q5
Design A: Easy 5, Readable 4, Total 8 → The total is wrong. 5 + 4 is 9, not 8, so the matrix would give misleading evidence.
Q6
Final choice: Design B because I like it most → The choice is based on personal opinion, not on the matrix scores.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
decision matrix — A table that scores each design idea against each criterion, then totals the scores (weighting key criteria) so the best design can be chosen using evidence.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=SUM(B2:D2)Q2
=B2*$B$1Q3
=MAX(E2:E4)Q4
=SUM(B3:D3)Q5
=IF(E2>E3,"Design A","Design B")Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
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.
Q2
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.
Q3
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.
Q4
C — A weighted score is the score multiplied by the weight (score * weight). Adding the weight would not make important criteria count for more.
Q5
B — Weights can only be given to criteria on the list. Speed is not a criterion, so this line should be weight(Ease) ← 3.