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Pugh Matrix

Force-rank concepts against a baseline; flow the winner back.

Pugh Matrix

What it's for​

A weighted scoring grid — rows are criteria (each with an H/M/L weight and requirement-anchoring chips), columns are a Baseline datum plus one per option. Score cells are + / − / S / ? and a Totals row shows live net weighted scores. A robustness verdict and a formal Decision Record (Analysis of Alternatives) turn it into a defensible trade study.

When to use it​

Any design decision between two or more alternatives — topology, component, or algorithm choice.

How it works​

  1. Launch from a Block Diagram block’s Trade Study action, or open Pugh directly. → The matrix opens seeded with the block’s function and I/O plus generic criteria (cost, complexity, reliability, performance).
  2. Add columns (options) and rows (criteria); set each Weight and score each cell. → Weights are H/M/L (3/2/1); score cells are + / − / S (same) / ?; the Totals row recomputes live and edits autosave.
  3. Read the robustness verdict, then Set Recommended Option. → A badge reports “Robust winner”, “Sensitive — hinges on weighting”, or “Effectively tied” with the margin; Set Recommended Option marks the winner.
  4. Click “Apply to Block Diagram”. → It creates a Block Diagram follow-on that rewrites the source block to the winning design and stamps winnerAppliedAt (the button then goes inert).
  5. Finalize the Decision Record. → Record method, assumptions, data sources and rejected alternatives; “Finalize Decision” stamps who decided and when — the Analysis-of-Alternatives artifact reviewers ask for.

Mechanics​

  • Baseline datum + dynamic option columns · + / − / S / ? cells · live weighted Totals
  • Decision-sensitivity robustness verdict
  • Set Recommended Option → Apply-to-Block-Diagram winner flow-down
  • Requirement-anchoring chips + drift detection (regenerate criteria from requirements)
  • Formal Decision Record (Analysis of Alternatives)
  • Import / export CSV (matrix shape) · PDF · stamped PDF · TXT · JSON

Open Pugh Matrix in the app