An Instructional Designer s Guide to Consensus Matrix

Transcription

1 An Instructional Designer s Guide to Consensus Matrix A Task Analysis Technique Michelle Williams C O P Y R I G H T

2 P a g e 2 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

3 P a g e 3 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 recap 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.

4 Critical Incident: Reports or description of things people in the studied population have done or have been observed doing. P a g e 4 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

5 P a g e 5 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 ). 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: 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 To determine what information is Many detailed tasks (Nominal Group Model) nice to know and need to know information 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. *As taken from Zemke pgs

6 P a g e 6 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

7 P a g e 7 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. When all factors have been compared 4 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

8 P a g e 8 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.

9 P a g e 9 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.

10 P a g e 10 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 List all factored options and necessary skills to complete the task. Level of Importance 1) Washer/Dryer 2) Garage 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.

11 P a g e 11 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.

12 P a g e 12 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.

13 P a g e 13 Appendix

14 P a g e 14 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.

15 P a g e 15 Appendix B Step Action Matrix Chart 3 Weight the factors against each other, one at a time. 5 1 The skills or factors with the most entries on the matrix are those that the training should emphasize List all factored options and necessary skills to complete the task. Level of Importance 3) Washer/Dryer 4) Garage 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.

16 P a g e 16 Appendix C (from Summary Section)