PUGH MATRIX

The Pugh Matrix was developed by Stuart Pugh who was a professor and head of the design division at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

 The Pugh Matrix is a criteria-based decision matrix which uses criteria scoring to determine which of several potential solutions or alternatives should be selected. It is typically used after the development of the VOC (Voice of the Customer) and after the creation of a QFD (Quality Function Design).

 A matrix that determines which items or potential solutions are more important or better than others.

 It is a scoring matrix used for concept selection, in which options are assigned scores relative to criteria. The selection is made based on the consolidated scores. Before you start your detailed design you must have many options so that you choose the best out of them.

 The Pugh matrix is a tool used to facilitate a disciplined, team-based process for concept generation and selection . Several concepts are evaluated according to their strengths and weaknesses against a reference concept called the datum (base concept). The datum is the best current concept at each iteration of the matrix. The Pugh matrix allows you to 1. Compare different concepts 2. Create strong alternative concepts from weaker concepts 3. Arrive at an optimum concept that may be a hybrid or variant of the best of other concepts

 The Pugh matrix encourages comparison of several different concepts against a base concept, creating stronger concepts and eliminating weaker ones until an optimal concept finally is reached. Also, the Pugh matrix is useful because it does not require a great amount of quantitative data on the design concepts, which generally is not available at this point in the process

It is also called a variety of names including Pugh method, decision matrix method, decision grid, selection grid, selection matrix, problem selection matrix, problem selection grid, solution matrix, criteria rating form, criteria-based matrix, opportunity analysis.

Steps to Use/Construct Pugh matrix: 1. Choose or develop the criteria for comparison. Examine customer requirements to do this. Generate a set of engineering requirements and targets. 2. Select the Alternatives to be compared. The alternatives are the different ideas developed during concept generation. All concepts should be compared at the same level of generalization and in similar language. 3. Generate Scores. Usually designers will have a favorite design, by the time it comes to pick one. This concept can be used as datum, with all the other being compared to it as measured by each of the customer requirements. If the problem is to redesign an existing product, then the existing product can be used as the datum. For each comparison the product should be evaluated as being better (+), the same (S), or worse (-). Alternatively, if the matrix is developed with a spreadsheet like Excel, use +1, 0, and 1 for the ratings. If it is impossible to make a comparison, more information should be developed. 4. Compute the total score Four scores will be generated, the number of plus scores, minus scores, the overall toal and the weighted total. The overall total is the number of plus scores- the number of minus scores. The weighted total is the scores times their respective weighting factors, added up. The totals should not be treated as absolute in the decision making process but as guidance only. If the two top scores are very close or very similiar, then they should be examined more closely to make a more informed decision. 5. Variations on scoring A number of variations on scoring Pughs method exist. For example a seven level scale could be used for a finer scoring system where: +3 meets criterion extremely better than datum +2 meets criterion much better than datum +1 meets criterion better than datum 0 meets criterion as well as datum -1 meets criterion not as well as datum -2 meets criterion much worse then the datum -3 meets criterion far worse than the datum

Sample Pugh Matrix