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Pairwise Decision Matrix:
The pairwise decision matrix is a
method of comparing ideas based on a series of specifications. In this case the
ideas are design concepts for a farm irrigation and water catchment system.
Pairwise Weights:
The specifications on the spreadsheet
were taken directly from the project proposal and expanded to cover all the
needs of the farm. Each specification was assigned a relative need to each other
specification (see right section of Pairwise Weights” spreadsheet): a “0” shows
a specification of lesser importance to the column heading, a “1” signifies
equal importance, and a “2” means the specification is more important. This
effectively ranked each specification so that they could be assigned a relative
weight.
Concept Ratings:
Each concept is given a brief title
in this section. Some “concepts” such as rain are included to determine if the
spreadsheet is effective. Each concept is scored for each specification in the
concept ratings section.
Result:
The results tab shows the scores of
each concept which are weighted based on the pairwise weight calculations from
the first sheet. The final score for the each concept is the sum of all the weighted
values.
To sum this up, the decision matrix:
1) Established the needs for the farm and their relative importance
2) Compared each design concept on its ability to meet those needs
3) Ranked each concept based on a weighted score of how well the concept could meet the need
Using a decision matrix allowed the choice of system to be a quantitative and calculated decision based on data, instead of a qualitative decision that did not systematically address the needs of the farm. This allowed for the formation a comprehensive solution that the group could present to the community garden representative, along with data to back it up.
Also the decision matrix made the group consider different design concepts. For example, the hose and water-catchment system was not a top choice until it was compared through the decision matrix; however, it is now apparent that this system has a good balance of cost effectiveness and ease of use.
Communication
with Nicole:
Our group needed to
communicate with Nicole in order to finalize some ideas regarding the project and
start thinking about a detailed final design for construction. We scheduled a
phone call to report all our findings to Nicole, so she could decide which
available option suited her idea of how the the project should be fulfilled considering all the
specifications that she considered crucial. The catchment system for the
rainwater was already set to be from the shed's rooftop. However, there were
multiple options on how to distribute the collected water. Based on the
Decision Matrix, which took in consideration various factors, attaching a hose
to the rain barrel and manually moving it from a bed to another, seemed like
the best choice. This also made sense out of the context of the Decision Matrix for Nicole biggest need was for a source of water.
First, we generally explained to Nicole how the spreadsheet matrix works, with
all its components. She looked over the needs that were displayed and she
agreed on how every need was ranked in comparison to the others: equally
important, less important or more important. She was satisfied with the outcome
so the group will now start working on a final detailed design, taking in
consideration every component of the plan and having a clear idea on how the
distribution system will perform.
Second, we informed
Nicole about all our new findings which she can look into and examine form the
group’s blog. Third, we discussed a possible transportation method for the
materials from the shops to the garden.
There will be
further communication with Nicole in the future, because as a group we will
clearly need to work on some final touches related to the system
implementation.
