Solution Desirability Matrix

Use the Solution Desirability Matrix form to evaluate proposed solutions by using weighted selection criteria.

Solutions, or improvement proposals, are scored on how well they match the improvement goals of the organization.

How-to

Complete the Solution Desirability Matrix as a team.

  1. Create a list of the organizational improvement goals.
  2. Create a list of the potential improvement solutions.
  3. Enter the improvement solutions along the left side of the matrix and the improvement goals across the top of the matrix.
  4. Apply a weighting factor to each improvement goals. Use a scale of 1 to 9 to weight the importance of the selection criteria. Use 1 for the least important criteria and 9 for the most important criteria.
  5. Based on team input, rate how well each solution matches each of the selection criteria. Use a scale of 1 to 9 to score the baseline. Use 1 for poor matches and 9 for strong matches to the criteria.
  6. Examine the scores for each alternative on the Pareto chart.

For more information, go to Add and complete a form.

Additional guidelines

The Pugh Matrix is similar to the Solution Desirability Matrix. Both tools help you choose the best proposal from a list of competing proposals. Choose the tool that is best for your application.
Pugh Matrix
  • Compares how well each alternative proposal matches the baseline proposal for each of the selection criteria.
  • Penalizes an alternative that is worse than the baseline for a particular selection criterion by an amount equal to the importance rating of the selection criterion. There is no distinction for being slightly worse versus dramatically worse.
  • Rewards an alternative that is better than the baseline for a particular selection criterion by an amount equal to the importance rating of the selection criterion. There is no distinction for being slightly better versus dramatically better.
  • Can be easier and more consistent to use when the number of proposals and selection criteria is large because each alternative proposal is compared to the same baseline.
Solution Desirability Matrix
Rates all proposals on how well they match the selection criteria, which creates much higher scores for better proposals.