Pairwise ranking is a method for listing a small number of items/options in priority order. It can help you:
· Make decisions in a consensus-oriented manner
· Promote discussions of items in a head-to-head manner
· Further discuss and decide among the top options (breaking ties) resulting from another prioritization tool such as a Muti-Vote
How to
use it:
Discuss
the choices. Ensure a common understanding of all items
represented. One method to accomplish this is to have a subject matter expert
address each option.
Letter the
choices. This makes tabulating the votes easier and counting less confusing.
Construct
a pairwise matrix. Each box in the matrix represents the
pairing of two items (the choice shown at top of the column compared to the
choice shown at left of the row). If
your list has five items, the pairwise matrix would look like the one below,
with the top box representing option A paired with option B:
Note: Each progressively longer row is
labeled with the second through the last choice. Each progressively shorter
column is labeled with the first through the next to last choice.
Rank each
pair. For each pair,
have the group (using a consensus-oriented discussion) determine which of the
two ideas is preferred. Then, for each pair, write the letter of the preferable
idea in the appropriate box. Repeat this process until the matrix is filled in.
Count the
number of times each alternative appears in the matrix.
Rank all
items. Rank the
alternatives by the total number of times they appear in the matrix. Where two
ideas appear the same number of times, look at the box in which those two ideas
are compared. The idea appearing in that box receives the higher ranking.
Jeff
Wright
*The
Coast Guard PIG is not copy written and available electronically. You can
download a copy from http://improvement-guide.webs.com/
Pairwise
