HKSM

A quality analysis tool that arranges information in a row-and-column grid to examine how items relate to each other. It makes the strength or weakness of connections among factors, causes, and objectives visible within the matrix structure.

Key Points

• Displays relationships among two or more sets of items using a matrix layout.
• Indicates relationship strength (for example: strong, moderate, weak) with symbols, numbers, or weights.
• Common forms include L, T, Y, X, C, and roof matrices, chosen based on how many groups are being compared.
• Helps prioritize work, reveal gaps, and assign ownership by clarifying where connections are strongest or missing.

Example

A project team maps customer requirements (rows) against proposed product features (columns). They mark strong links with a 9, moderate with a 3, and weak with a 1. The highest row totals show which features most strongly satisfy customer needs, guiding design priorities and trade-off discussions.

PMP Example Question

Which tool should a project manager use to assess how strongly product features address specific customer needs by showing relationship strength across rows and columns?

1. Affinity diagram
2. Matrix diagram
3. Scatter diagram
4. Control chart

Correct Answer: B — Matrix diagram

Explanation: A matrix diagram displays the strength of relationships between two or more groups of items in a structured grid, making it ideal for evaluating how well features satisfy requirements.