This Y-shaped matrix shows the relationships between customer requirements, internal process metrics, and the departments involved. T-shaped Matrix Diagram: Products-Manufacturing Locations -Customers makes large purchases of A and D, while Lyle Co. Focusing on the customer rows shows that only one customer, Arlo Co., buys all four models.

is the major customer for model A, while Arlo Co. For example, focusing on model A shows that it is produced in large volume at the Texas plant and in small volume at the Alabama plant. This T-shaped matrix relates product models (group A) to their manufacturing locations (group B) and to their customers (group C).Įxamining the matrix (below) in different ways reveals different information. Table 1: When to use differently-shaped matrices

A roof-shaped matrix relates one group of items to itself it is usually used along with an L- or T-shaped matrix.

An X-shaped matrix relates four groups of items: each group is related to two others in a circular fashion.

A C-shaped matrix relates three groups of items all together simultaneously, in 3D.

A Y-shaped matrix relates three groups of items: each group is related to the other two in a circular fashion.

A T-shaped matrix relates three groups of items: groups B and C are each related to A groups B and C are not related to each other.

An L-shaped matrix relates two groups of items to each other (or one group to itself).

In the examples, matrix axes have been shaded to emphasize the letter that gives each matrix its name. Click on the links below to see an example of each type. Table 1 summarizes when to use each type of matrix. Six differently shaped matrices are possible: L, T, Y, X, C, and roof-shaped, depending on how many groups must be compared. It also can give information about the relationship, such as its strength, of the roles played by various individuals or measurements. The matrix diagram shows the relationship between two, three, or four groups of information. A matrix diagram is defined as a new management planning tool used for analyzing and displaying the relationship between data sets.

Matrix definition