D3.0 Choosing a Solution Path Using a Selection Matrix

Introduction

So many good ideas, but only one will be developed. How do you choose the design that will lead to the best solution of the problem? In some cases the design team does not make the choice – the decision is made externally by the customer, client, the marketing department, or someone else. In other cases one particular design is somewhat arbitrarily designated as the “golden” design based on personal preference or intuition, perhaps by only a single person. Another method used to choose a solution path is to have the design team vote for the best design. These methods may require little time and effort on the part of the design team, but their effectiveness can vary widely.

Alternatively, using a structured selection method can provide a more objective analysis of options, solid justification for the final selection, and will often produce a better result than those methods mentioned above. A decision matrix is commonly used in a structured selection process to objectively compare alternative concepts. The design specifications and customer needs are used as the basis of comparison to rate and rank each alternative concept. Based on the results of the decision matrix analysis, concepts can be eliminated, revised, or combined to create new and improved concepts. New issues that arise during the analysis may also necessitate revisions or additions to the design specifications. If multiple promising solutions remain, a new decision matrix can be created and the process reiterated until a single design concept emerges as the best choice.

In this project your group will select the best design solution to pursue from the multiple concepts that you have generated. In the selection process, you will refine your design ideas and use a decision matrix to compare them based on the design specification and customer requirements. You will also seek input and suggestions from individuals outside your design team.