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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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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Michelle J. Williams, HPT
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.
The skills or factors with the most
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.
Set each factored option/skill against
each other in a matrix table.
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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
The skills or factors with the most
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
Set each factored option/skill against
each other in a matrix table.
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Appendix C (from Summary Section)