methodatlas
Decision Making

Decision Matrix

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by listing options, defining criteria, and checking result and sensitivity.

Core question
Which option achieves the highest weighted score, and which sensitivity cases influence the recommendation?
MediumWorkshop + async45-90 min
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify options, criteria, and risks concretely. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a decision matrix, scoring rationale, and selected option.

How it works

The team follows the steps: list options, define criteria, assign weights, evaluate options, and check result and sensitivity. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, a decision matrix, scoring rationale, and selected option are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Decision Matrix · Weighted OptionsEvaluate options against weighted criteria, compare scores, and make the best viable choice visible
Decision MatrixThe visual shows a weighted decision matrix with options, criteria, individual scores, total score, and selection.Make options comparable before decidingCriteria are weighted, options scored, and utility is compared transparently.OptionValue ×3Effort ×2Risk ×2UtilityOption A53225Option B45422Option C32513highest scorecheck riskSelectionOption A has thehighest weighted...Check trade-offA score does notreplace decision...

Flow

  1. 1List options
  2. 2Define criteria
  3. 3Assign weights
  4. 4Evaluate options
  5. 5Check result and sensitivity

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Tool selection
  • Vendor choice
  • Tradeoff decisions

Not good for

  • Very uncertain problem spaces
  • Pure consensus building without criteria

Deep dive

In detail

Decision Matrix follows a clear working logic: list options, define criteria, assign weights, evaluate options, and check result and sensitivity. This turns the method into a visible thinking process instead of only a discussion. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, a decision matrix, scoring rationale, and selected option support decisions, learning, and planning.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan for 45-90 min with 2-8 people and use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation needs structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions are helpful.

Output artifacts
Decision MatrixScoring RationaleSelected Option
Tags
decisioncriteriascoringtradeoffs

Sources

Decision-matrix method - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Artifact templates
Trade-off MatrixMarkdown matrix for comparing options across competing criteria and accepted trade-offs.
markdown

trade-off-matrix-markdown.md

Markdown matrix for comparing options across competing criteria and accepted trade-offs.

Trade-off Matrix: Decision

CriterionWeightOption AOption BOption C
Benefit30
Cost20
Risk20
Time-to-Learn15
Reversibility15

Accepted trade-offs

  • Option A accepts:
  • Option B accepts:
  • Option C accepts:

Recommendation

Which option is recommended and why?

Sensitivity

Which small change in weighting or assumption would flip the recommendation?

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Dot Voting

Statt Decision Matrix, wenn ihr schnell eine Gruppenpriorisierung braucht und Diskussionen kurz halten wollt.

Similar methods

All methods
Decision Making
Trade-off Analysis

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by framing the decision, collecting options, and documenting trade-offs and the decision.

Decision Making
Argument Mapping

Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the central question, recording the main claim, and marking weak spots.

Decision Making
Decision Tree

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the decision question, collecting options and conditions, and discussing the best path.

Decision Making
Option Framing

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by collecting rough options, consolidating them, and creating a comparable shortlist.

Decision Making
RAPID

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by delimiting the decision, assigning RAPID roles, and documenting the decision and action steps.

Decision Making
DACI

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the decision, naming the driver and approver, and documenting decision and follow-up.