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• How to Find a Determinant of a Matrix
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How to Use a Decision Matrix for Project Planning

By an eHow Contributor
I want to do this! What's This?

A decision matrix is an evaluation tool that prioritizes a list of options. The decision matrix can be
used for project planning to ensure that good decisions are being made, because each option is
being weighted. A decision matrix is often used to narrow down a list of options. Planning your steps
for your project can be done by using a decision matrix when planning your next project.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
1. 1
Clearly define what the decision is that you need to make in the project. This should
be agreed upon by all team members and written down so you can refer to it often.
2. 2
Create a list of criteria in which you will be using to make your decision. Consider
criteria such as costs, benefits and anything else that you are using to make the
decision on the project.
3. 3
Discuss the list of criteria further with the purpose of clarifying and reducing the
number of criteria. Make sure that all criteria is really needed and the ones that are
needed are stated in a clear manner.
4. 4
Assign a weight to each of the criteria by dividing 10 points between the list of
criteria. The higher the number you assign to a criteria, the more important you feel
criteria is when making the decision.
5. 5
Draw a weighted decision matrix table by listing the criteria in the first column, the
weights in the second column and the alternatives in the third column.
6. 6
 Weight each row in your decision matrix table by looking at the criteria, weight and
alternative by dividing up 10 points again.
7. 7
Calculate the decision matrix by multiplying the weights in the second column and
then adding the weights from the rows together. Choose the alternative that has the
highest score.
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• How to Make a Decision about Love or Job
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1. Home

2. » Business

3. » Business Management

4. » Project Management

5. » How to Use a Decision Matrix for Project Planning

More Articles Like This

• How to Find a Determinant of a Matrix
• How to Not Just Make A Choice But Make A Decision
• How to Use Excel to Find the Inverse of Matrix
• Separation of Duties Matrix
• How to Make a Decision about Love or Job
Ads by Google
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www.planzone.com

Task Management Online

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www.Wrike.com

Construction Scheduling
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www.constructionscheduling.com
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www.weightedblanket.info

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Related Topics
• Scoring System
• Project Planning And Management Planning
• Project Management Project Plan
• Project Plan
• Create Project Plan
more »

How to Use a Decision Matrix for Project Planning

By an eHow Contributor

I want to do this! What's This?

A decision matrix is an evaluation tool that prioritizes a list of options. The decision matrix can be
used for project planning to ensure that good decisions are being made, because each option is
being weighted. A decision matrix is often used to narrow down a list of options. Planning your steps
for your project can be done by using a decision matrix when planning your next project.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
1. 1
Clearly define what the decision is that you need to make in the project. This should
be agreed upon by all team members and written down so you can refer to it often.
2. 2
Create a list of criteria in which you will be using to make your decision. Consider
criteria such as costs, benefits and anything else that you are using to make the
decision on the project.
3. 3
Discuss the list of criteria further with the purpose of clarifying and reducing the
number of criteria. Make sure that all criteria is really needed and the ones that are
needed are stated in a clear manner.
4. 4
Assign a weight to each of the criteria by dividing 10 points between the list of
criteria. The higher the number you assign to a criteria, the more important you feel
criteria is when making the decision.
5. 5
Draw a weighted decision matrix table by listing the criteria in the first column, the
weights in the second column and the alternatives in the third column.
6. 6
Weight each row in your decision matrix table by looking at the criteria, weight and
alternative by dividing up 10 points again.
7. 7
Calculate the decision matrix by multiplying the weights in the second column and
then adding the weights from the rows together. Choose the alternative that has the
highest score.
Ads by Google

IDIOM Decision Manager

Free Decision Modelling Tool Create Java and C# Decision Models
www.idiomsoftware.com

Free Trial: Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart To Schedule Plans& Track Progress. Free 30-Day Trial!
www.Wrike.com

AI Planning & Scheduling

encodes expert knowledge to solve problems with complex constraints
www.stottlerhenke.com/

Online Efficiency
Lifetime free project planning Be efficient now at
www.planzone.com

Who Can Help Sponsored

• With University of Phoenix, you’ll earn your business degree while learning from
industry professionals. Get started today.
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• favorite
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•
Related Ads
• Project Management
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• Decision Matrix
 • Manpower Planning
• Agenda Planning
• Project Planning

Related Articles & Videos

• How to Find a Determinant of a Matrix
• How to Not Just Make A Choice But Make A Decision
• How to Use Excel to Find the Inverse of Matrix
• Separation of Duties Matrix
• How to Make a Decision about Love or Job
• (play this video) Matrix Editing in Apple Logic Pro
• (play this video) Matrix Edit Tools for Apple Logic Pro
• (play this video) How to Define a Matrix Structure
• (play this video) How To Do The Matrix Yo-Yo Trick
• (play this video) Photoshop: Adding Main "Matrix" Text

More
eHow delivers daily. Start your day with advice and inspiring ideas. Sign up for newsletters

• Your Recent History

1. Travel by Design
•
Today's Top How To

(play this video) How to Develop a Business Plan

• Featured How Tos

(play this video) How to Get the Flu Protection You Need
• eHow of the Day

(play this video) Travel by Design

• eHow Essentials

Welcome Home to Doors

Top of Form
 Articles

• Articles

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0

Search

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• Home†

• Link to eHow†

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• Video Sitemap

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• Contact Us†

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• Topics Sitemap

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• Write for eHow

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Copyright © 1999-2010 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use † and Privacy
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Let eHow.com help you Use a Decision Matrix for Project Planning. Click this button to start tracking your progress, and
potentially discover other things you may want to do.

Read more: How to Use a Decision Matrix for Project Planning | eHow.com
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Definition of Matrix
A matrix is a collection of numbers arranged into a fixed number of rows and columns.
Usually the numbers are real numbers. In general, matrices can contain complex
numbers but we won't see those here. Here is an example of a matrix with three rows
and three columns:

The top row is row 1. The leftmost column is column 1. This matrix is a 3x3 matrix
because it has three rows and three columns. In describing matrices, the format is:
 rows X columns
Each number that makes up a matrix is called an element of the matrix. The elements
in a matrix have specific locations.
The upper left corner of the matrix is row 1 column 1. In the above matrix the element at
row 1 col 1 is the value 1. The element at row 2 column 3 is the value 4.6.
QUESTION 2:
What is the value of the element at row 3 column 1?

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matrix

Dictionary: ma·trix (mā'trĭks)

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Home > Library > Literature & Language > Dictionary

n., pl., ma·tri·ces (mā'trĭ-sēz', măt'rĭ-), or ma·trix·es.

 1. A situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates,
develops, or is contained: "Freedom of expression is the matrix, the
indispensable condition, of nearly every form of freedom" (Benjamin N.
Cardozo).
2. The womb.
3. Anatomy.
a. The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.
b. See ground substance (sense 1).
4. Geology.
a. The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.
b. Groundmass.
5. A mold or die.
6. The principal metal in an alloy, as the iron in steel.
7. A binding substance, as cement in concrete.
8.
a. Mathematics. A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities
subject to mathematical operations.
b. Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of
elements into columns and rows.
9. Computer Science. The network of intersections between input and output
leads in a computer, functioning as an encoder or a decoder.
10.Printing.
a. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive
impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be
cast. Also called mat.
b. A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
11.An electroplated impression of a phonograph record used to make duplicate
records.
[Middle English matrice, from Old French, from Late Latin mātrīx, mātrīc-, from Latin,
breeding-animal, from māter, mātr-, mother.]

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An r×c matrix consists of a rectangular array with r rows and c columns, in which the elements
are either numbers or algebraic expressions. Example matrices (the plural form) are:

When the array is not written out in full, a matrix is usually denoted by a bold-face
capital letter, e.g. X, or by a typical element (or entry) from the array, shown in
curly brackets, e.g. {xjk}, where xjk is the element in the jth row and kth column of
the matrix. If r=c the matrix is square.

If a matrix X={xjk} is multiplied by the real number s, then the result is the matrix
sX, in which the element in the jth row and kth column is sxjk. In this context a real
number s is often referred to as a scalar.

Two matrices, A and B, can be multiplied together only if the number of columns of
one matrix is equal to the number of rows of the other matrix. If A is an m×n matrix
and B is an n×p matrix then the product AB is an m×p matrix. However, if p≠m
then the product BA does not exist. The rule for the construction of the product is as
follows. Let ejk denote the element in the jth row and kth column of the product AB,
with ajk and bjk denoting typical elements in A and B. Then ejk is given by

If  A and B have the same values of r and c and if ajk=bjk for all j and k, then A=B.

A diagonal matrix is a square matrix with all elements equal to 0, except for those
on the leading diagonal (which runs from top-left to bottom-right). This diagonal is
also called the main diagonal. A matrix (not necessarily square) in which all the
entries are equal on every negatively sloping diagonal is a Toeplitz matrix. For
example:
 .

An identity matrix, usually denoted by I, is a diagonal matrix with on-diagonal

elements all equal to 1. The size of an identity matrix may be indicated using a
suffix: In is an n×n identity matrix.

The transpose of an m×n matrix M is the n×m matrix formed by interchanging the
elements of the rows and columns of M. It is denoted by M′. The jth row of M′ is the
transpose of the jth column of M and vice versa

If a square matrix S, with typical element sjk, is equal to its transpose, S′, then it is a
symmetric matrix satisfying sjk=skjfor all , j, k.A square matrix that is not
symmetric is an asymmetric matrix. If a square matrix S satisfies the equation SS=S
then it is idempotent. The product SS may be written as S2. If it exists, the inverse of
a square matrix, S, is denoted by S−1. It satisfies the relations that SS−1=S−1S=I.Only
square matrices can have an inverse (but see 'generalized inverse' below). If S−1
exists then it will be the same size as S. A matrix that has an inverse is said to be
non-singular (or regular, or invertible). A square matrix without an inverse is said to
be singular.

A square matrix is described as being an upper triangular matrix if all the elements
below the leading diagonal are zero, or as a lower triangular matrix if all the
elements above the leading diagonal are zero. The matrices U and L are examples:
 .

A generalized inverse (also called a Moore–Penrose inverse) of the m×n matrix M is

any n×m matrix M− satisfying MM−M=M.If a matrix M is multiplied by its transpose
(to give either MM′ or M′M) then the result is a symmetric matrix.

If M is square and the product MM′ is an identity matrix, then M′=M−1 and M is said
to be an orthogonal matrix.

A matrix with just one row is called a row vector. A matrix with just one column is
called a column vector. Column vectors are usually denoted with a bold-face lower-
case letter, e.g. x; row vectors are written as their transpose, e.g. x′. A vector with a
single element (i.e. a 1×1 matrix) is a scalar.

Vectors multiply together in the same way as matrices (see above). Thus, if v is an
n×1 column vector, and v′ is its transpose, then the product vv′ is an n×n
symmetric matrix, and the product v′v is a scalar.

The set of n×1 vectors v1, v2,..., vm is linearly independent if the only values of the
scalars a1, a2,..., am for which

where 0 is an n×1 vector with every element equal to 0, is a1=a2=...=am=0. If the

set is not linearly independent then it is linearly dependent, in which case there are
values for the scalars a1, a2,..., am, not all equal to 0, such that
A linearly independent set with two or more vectors satisfies the requirement that
at least one of the vectors, vk, say, is a linear combination of the others, i.e.

for some scalars b1, b2,..., bk−1, bk+1,..., bm.

The rank of a matrix is the maximum number of linearly independent rows, which is
the same as the maximum number of linearly independent columns. Thus the rank
of a matrix is equal to that of its transpose. If a matrix has r rows and c columns,
with r≤c, then the rank is≤r; if r>c then the rank is≤c. If the rank is equal to the
smaller of r and c then the matrix is of full rank.

If A is a square matrix, x is a column vector not equal to 0, and λ is a scalar such

that Ax=λx,then x is an eigenvector of A and λ is the corresponding eigenvalue.
Eigenvectors and eigenvalues are also referred to as characteristic vectors and
characteristic values. If x is the column vector (x1 x2...xn)′ and A is an n×n symmetric
matrix with typical element ajk, then the product x′Ax, which is a scalar, is described
as a quadratic form because it is equal to

which is a linear combination of all the squared terms (such as x12) and cross-
products (such as x1x2).

A symmetric matrix A is a positive definite matrix if x′Ax>0 for all non-zero x; it is a

positive semi-definite matrix if x′Ax≥0 for all x and there is at least one non-zero x
for which x′Ax=0.

The trace of a square matrix is the sum of the terms on the leading diagonal.

The determinant of a 2×2 square matrix, A, is written as |A| or det(A), and is given
by |A|=a11a22−a12a21.The determinant of a larger matrix is defined recursively in
terms of cofactors. The cofactor of the entry ajk is equal to the product of (−1)j+k and
the determinant Ajk of the matrix obtained by eliminating the jth row and kth
column of A. The recursive definition is

In fact

if k=l (otherwise the sum is 0). Similarly,

if j=l and is otherwise 0. Thus, for a 3×3 matrix, A,|A|

=a11(a22a33−a23a32)−a12(a21a33−a23a31)+a13(a21a32−a22a31).The eigenvalues of a square
matrix A are the roots of the characteristic equationdet(A−λI)=0.