an instructional designer’s guide to consensus matrix · michelle j. williams, hpt definition...

Michelle Williams

An Instructional Designer’s

Guide to Consensus Matrix

A Task Analysis Technique

C O P Y R I G H T 2 0 1 4

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Michelle J. Williams, HPT

Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………….…..…… 3

Review of Previous Lessons

Objectives

Outline of This Lesson

Lesson Background ……………………………….….. 5

Definition

Objective

Purpose

Main Lesson ……………………………………………………….. 7

Steps of Simple Consensus Matrix

Setting factored option/skill against each other

Weigh the factors against each other

Practice …………………………………………………… 9

Summary ……………………………………………………………11

Appendix …………………………………………………. 13

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Introduction

In this lesson you will learn about the Consensus Matrix task analysis technique. There are three

specific techniques within the Consensus Matrix that are able to be chosen to accomplish certain

goals. The appropriate Consensus technique for application is determined based on three specific

situation types which will be further discussed in the lesson. The purpose of conducting the

Consensus Matrix technique is as the title suggests: to establish a consensus when there are several

deciding factors, multiple segments of information to be addressed and several authority figures that

must reach a decision.

The benefit of the Consensus Matrix is that there are case-specific situations that guide the type of

system or matrix to be followed to determine which information is to be covered or used. This

systematic approach is used to establish decisions on levels of importance of informational material.

The importance of this matrix is it provides a quantitative measurement of judgment that is unbiased

which allows all parties to voice their opinion of necessity based on all topics to be covered.

In the previous lessons you learned about other task analysis techniques. The following table is a re-

cap of each technique and a general list of their characteristics.

Survey/Questionnaire: A simple way to gather information through participant response based on a

set of questions you would like information about.

Interviews: Known to be the most common information gathering technique. Especially know for

face-to-face interviewing as the primary source for dozens of occupations.

Algorithm: An orderly procedure or exact prescription that leads the user through a collection of

input data to the desired result for solving problems.

Task Listing: A group of related manual activities that defines a definite beginning, a process and

end which results in a meaningful product or specified goal

S-R (Stimulus-Response) Tables: The specification of all overt and covert behavior involved in the

performance of a job.

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Critical Incident: Reports or description of things people in the studied population have done or

have been observed doing.

This training will last for 1 hour and fifteen minutes. The training participant surveys have

determined that the majority of training focus will be on Simple, Consensus Matrix and Complex,

Consensus Matrix techniques.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson you will be able to:

Articulate the three conditional situations each Consensus technique should be applied

in;

Set factored option/skill against each other in a matrix table;

Weigh the factors against each other one at a time; and

Identify the correct step-order of the Simple Consensus Matrix technique

Outline

Consensus Matrix Groups- General Overview

Simple Consensus Matrix: An in-depth Analysis

Practice Activity

Putting it All Together: Lesson Summary

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Definition

Zemke defines a Consensus Matrix technique as a process to validate relevant information through

consensus by bringing together knowledgeable people in jury fashion and tapping their collective

personal insight to guide training and development decisions (pgs. 141-142).

The term Matrix implies that there is a systematic approach to meet this goal. Given the complexity

of the information to reach consensus there are three levels of matrix available that are determined by

case-specific situations which are: Simple, Medium and Complex situations.

Objective

The purpose of the three situation-types of Consensus Matrix techniques and when to use them are:

*As taken from Zemke pgs.152-154

Situation Type Purpose When to Use

Simple

(Simple Priority

Matrix Model)

To develop a priority list or

ranking of skill importance

Low amount of skills and skill

groups to be mastered but

disagreement about the level of

importance of each skill.

Medium

(Nominal Group Model)

To determine what information is

“nice to know” and

“need to know” information

Many detailed tasks

Complex

(Delphi Model)

To fairly conceptualize the

necessary tasks in order to

reach a goal

When tasks have never been

performed and there is

multiple ways to

conceptualize what needs to

be done.

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Example

Below are examples of situations that you would use for each level of Consensus Matrix.

Simple

How to conduct appropriate appraisals for male nurses in a women’s wellness clinic

How to come to a decision about which home to purchase

How to plan a party

Medium

Determining necessary knowledge base for a new employee

Determining appropriate evaluation measures for acceptable hospitality service

Assembling adequate training on new company software for the purpose of completing a

specific task

Complex

Solving a criminal mystery

Assembling information for a grant proposal

Building a tree house

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Main Lesson

Now that you understand what Consensus Matrix is and when to use it we can now learn more

about Simple Consensus Matrix. Here is an example of How to Plan a Party.

Step Action Example

1

List all factored options and necessary

skills to complete the task.

Cost

Festivity

Size of Party

Entertainment

2

Set each factored option/skill against

each other in a matrix table.

3

Weight the factors against each other,

one at a time.

4

When all factors have been compared

one by one and the matrix is complete,

count the number of times each factor

was chosen.

5

The skills or factors with the most

entries on the matrix are those that the

training should emphasize

Level of Importance

1. Size of Party

2. Entertainment

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Let’s look at Step2: Setting factored option/skill against each other in

the matrix table

Setting factors against one another means to take all of the chosen criteria on a table and place it in a

mirrored order where each item is able to be compared and graded by level of importance against one

another. Let’s look at how this is done on a matrix chart.

Notice how each item on the chart listed A-D are color coded. The color coded items are set on the

chart against each other and ready to be weighed for level of importance.

Let’s look at Step 3: Weighing factors against each other one at a time

The boxes highlighted in yellow that have an (x) are not to be weighed into your equation. As you go

down the list on the left side (A-D) you will compare from left to right the level of importance

between the two items that have the letters within that row (notice the items highlighted in orange).

For example Cost would be compared to item B- Festivity, C-Size of party and D- Entertainment.

Festivity on the left side would be compared to C- Size of Party and Entertainment; Size of Party on

the left side would be compared to D- Entertainment and Entertainment on the left side would not be

compared because it has been compared against each item and does not need to be compared against

itself.

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Practice A

Sally and Tom are interested in purchasing a home but cannot agree on which items are more

important between a pool, basement, washer/dryer and garage and need your help. You the

facilitator have determined that the simple consensus Matrix is the best path to reach a

decision. Using the table below, complete the following two (2) steps:

1) Demonstrate the correct steps to set each factored option/skill against each other in a

matrix table; and

2) Weight the factors against each other, one at a time.

Check your work for accuracy before moving on to Practice B.

Refer to the Appendix A to find the solution to this activity.

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Practice B

As the facilitator you have taken Sally and Tom’s items of importance for their home to

complete the Consensus Matrix. Identify the correct step order of the following matrix actions

with the appropriate information/diagram of the matrix chart.

Step Action Matrix Chart

Weight the factors against each

other, one at a time.


entries on the matrix are those that

the training should emphasize

Level of Importance

1) Washer/Dryer

2) Garage

List all factored options and

necessary skills to complete the task.

Pool

Basement

Washer/Dryer

Garage

When all factors have been

compared one by one and the matrix

is complete, count the number of

times each factor was chosen.



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Summary

In this lesson you learned about various ways to solve problems and reach solutions using the

Consensus Matrix technique. There are three (3) matrix models within the Consensus Matrix

that are determined for use based on their situation. The three models are Simple Priority,

Nominal Group and the Delphi Techniques. Based on the information that was discussed

earlier in the lesson, let’s see what you remember.

Given the discussed situation, place the correct Consensus Matrix Technique to find a solution

Situation Consensus Technique

When tasks have never been

performed and there is multiple ways to

conceptualize what needs to be done.

Low amount of skills and skill groups to

be mastered but disagreement about the

level of importance of each skill.

This technique is used when there are

many detailed tasks and information

and you must determine what information

is "nice to know" and "need to know"

information.

Turn to Appendix C to check your knowledge on Consensus Matrix types.

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Here is a brief review of all of the Task analysis techniques you have learned about in within

the Task Analysis technique lesson.

As you have learned, each task analysis technique has very unique components to reach the

goal of gathering information to complete tasks. Now you are ready to facilitate front end

analysis for your next project by using the appropriate task analysis technique as a

practitioner.

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Appendix

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Appendix A

The following table demonstrates:

1) The correct steps to set each factored option/skill against each other in a matrix table;

and

2) Weighted factors against each other, one at a time.

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Appendix B

Step Action Matrix Chart

3

Weight the factors against each

other, one at a time.

5


entries on the matrix are those that

the training should emphasize

Level of Importance

3) Washer/Dryer

4) Garage

1

List all factored options and

necessary skills to complete the task.

Pool

Basement

Washer/Dryer

Garage

4

When all factors have been

compared one by one and the matrix

is complete, count the number of

times each factor was chosen.

2



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Appendix C (from Summary Section)

an instructional designer’s guide to consensus matrix · michelle j. williams, hpt definition...

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