Decision matrix
Use a weighted decision matrix to choose among competing prototype design options.
Weighted decision matrix with three options, four criteria, weights, scores, weighted totals, and a written justification.
- 1Do thisUse a weighted decision matrix to choose among competing prototype design options.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisData table: Weighted decision matrix with three options, four criteria, weights, scores, weighted totals, and a written justification.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Biotechnology for Health (Biomedical Innovations) › Literature review, decision matrices, validation metrics, MP1 data inflection. › Data tableOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: A decision matrix makes tradeoffs visible and keeps design choices defensible.
- 0-5 minWarm-up: name two criteria a medical device must meet before you'd use it
- 5-20 minList three design options and define four weighted criteria
- 20-45 minScore each option; compute and double-check weighted totals
- 45-60 minWrite justification: winning option and deciding criterion
- 60-72 minPeer check: swap matrices and verify weights sum to 100
- 72-80 minExit ticket: one sentence on why the lowest-scoring option was eliminated
- • Today we replace gut instinct with math by using a weighted decision matrix.
- • You'll score three design options against criteria you set and then let the numbers guide you.
- • This is exactly how engineering teams avoid bias when choosing between prototypes.
- • By the end you'll have a justified design direction and a document to back it up.
- 1List three candidate design options for your prototype.
- 2Define four selection criteria such as cost, safety, feasibility, and effectiveness.
- 3Assign each criterion a weight that sums to 100 percent.
- 4Score each option against each criterion and compute weighted totals.
- 5Write a justification naming the winning option and the criterion that decided it.
- • You completed a weighted matrix with at least three options and four criteria.
- • You justified your choice using the matrix results.
- • Criteria weights reflect what matters most to users and stakeholders.
- • A weighted score lets you compare options with different strengths objectively.
- • Documenting the matrix is a Lab SOP practice: decisions need an auditable rationale.
Your PLTW work today
Literature review, decision matrices, validation metrics, MP1 data inflection. · Decision matrix
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Problem 3 in your myPLTW course shell and navigate to the current activity, then build a weighted decision matrix to choose among your prototype design options.
Upload your completed decision matrix to the Problem 3 portfolio.
The literature review is done; by end of today your weighted matrix with three options, four criteria, and a written justification should be submitted.
Photo or screenshot of your completed weighted decision matrix with justification attached as evidence.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Literature review, decision matrices, validation metrics, MP1 data inflection. · Decision matrix
Open Problem 3 in your myPLTW course shell and navigate to the current activity, then build a weighted decision matrix to choose among your prototype design options.
The literature review is done; by end of today your weighted matrix with three options, four criteria, and a written justification should be submitted.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Use a weighted decision matrix to choose among competing prototype design options.
- List three candidate design options for your prototype.
- Define four selection criteria such as cost, safety, feasibility, and effectiveness.
- Assign each criterion a weight that sums to 100 percent.
- Score each option against each criterion and compute weighted totals.
- Write a justification naming the winning option and the criterion that decided it.
Data table: Weighted decision matrix with three options, four criteria, weights, scores, weighted totals, and a written justification.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| List three candidate design options for your prototype. | _______ |
| Define four selection criteria such as cost, safety, feasibility, and effectiveness. | _______ |
| Assign each criterion a weight that sums to 100 percent. | _______ |
| Score each option against each criterion and compute weighted totals. | _______ |
| Write a justification naming the winning option and the criterion that decided it. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You completed a weighted matrix with at least three options and four criteria.
- You justified your choice using the matrix results.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Prototype validation and evidence audit by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-3_Medical-Innovation/3.1_Medical-Innovation; keywords:rubric. Score 134. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Prototype validation and evidence audit by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-3_Medical-Innovation/3.1_Medical-Innovation; keywords:rubric. Score 130. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Open this when the class reaches this activity and use it to complete the required lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Prototype validation and evidence audit by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-2_Human-Physiology/2.1_Human-Physiology. Score 126. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Lab & supplies
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your Data table.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: scientific method and experiment design- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Thu, Mar 11, 2027 · Decision matrix here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project