Pugh matrix
Pugh matrix: a new school bag
Current bag
Roll-top
Framed backpack
Messenger
Weight
Comfort
Cost
Keeps rain out
Room for a laptop
Total +
Total −
Net score
Datum
+
−
+
Datum
S
+
−
Datum
−
−
+
Datum
+
S
−
Datum
S
+
−
2
2
2
1
2
3
+1
0
−1
Make a Pugh matrix
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What a Pugh matrix is
“The decision-matrix method, also Pugh method or Pugh concept selection, invented by Stuart Pugh, is a qualitative technique used to rank the multi-dimensional options of an option set.”
Types of decision matrix
When to use a Pugh matrix
Design work
Engineers compare new designs with the current one: better, worse or the same.
Choosing
Count the pluses and minuses for each idea; the best net score goes forward.
A product
Good for early designs, before anyone has exact numbers.
How to make a Pugh matrix
- 1Pick a datumPugh matrix: a new school bagCurrent bagRoll-topFramed backpackMessengerWeightComfortCostKeeps rain outRoom for a laptopTotal +Total −Net score
- 2Better, worse, samePugh matrix: a new school bagCurrent bagRoll-topFramed backpackMessengerWeightComfortCostKeeps rain outRoom for a laptopTotal +Total −Net scoreDatum+−+DatumS+−Datum−−
- 3Count them upPugh matrix: a new school bagCurrent bagRoll-topFramed backpackMessengerWeightComfortCostKeeps rain outRoom for a laptopTotal +Total −Net scoreDatum+−+DatumS+−Datum−−+Datum+S−DatumS+−222123+10−1
Helpful resources
Questions
- Where is it used?
It is frequently used in engineering for making design decisions but can also be used to rank investment options, vendor options, product options or any other set of multidimensional entities.
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