Decision Matrix Calculator

Decision matrix analysis (also called weighted scoring or multi-criteria decision analysis) is a structured method for choosing between options when multiple competing criteria matter. It removes gut-feel bias by converting subjective judgments into comparable numbers.

Core formula: Weighted Score = Σ (Criterion Weight × Option Score)

For each option: Option Score_total = (W₁ × S₁) + (W₂ × S₂) + (W₃ × S₃) + … + (Wₙ × Sₙ)

Where:

• W = weight assigned to criterion (importance, on a 0–10 or percentage scale)
• S = score given to that option on that criterion (typically 1–10)
• Σ = sum across all criteria

Normalization (optional but recommended): Normalized Weight = Criterion Weight ÷ Sum of All Weights This ensures weights always sum to 1.0 (100%), making totals directly comparable.

What each variable means:

• Criterion: any factor relevant to your decision (cost, time, risk, quality, alignment with goals)
• Weight: reflects how much that criterion matters; high weight = deal-breaker factor
• Score: your subjective rating of how well each option performs on that criterion; be consistent across options
• Highest weighted score wins: but check whether the winner’s score is meaningfully higher or within noise range

Steps to build a decision matrix:

1. List all options (rows)
2. List all criteria (columns)
3. Assign weights to criteria (must total 100% or 10)
4. Score each option on each criterion (1–10)
5. Multiply score × weight for each cell
6. Sum each row, highest total = recommended choice

Worked example: Choosing a new car. Criteria: Price (weight 8), Reliability (weight 9), Fuel Economy (weight 7), Style (weight 5).

Car C wins (221 points) despite not being cheapest or most stylish — because it scored high on the most heavily weighted factors: reliability and fuel economy.