Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM)

The Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix is a strategic tool which is used to evaluate alternative set of strategies. The QSPM incorporate earlier stage details in an organize way to calculate the score of multiple strategies in order to find the best match strategy for the organization.

The QSPM comes under the third stage of strategy formulation which is called “The Decision Stage” and also the final stage of this process. The best thing about QSPM is that it never insist the strategist to enter the information on assumptions, it extract the information from stage 1 The Input Stage and stage 2 the the matching stage. The input stage is based on EFE Matrix, IFE Matrix and CPM and stage 2 made up of TOWS matrix, SPACE Matrix, BCG Matrix, IE Matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix.The QSPM combine the intuitive thinking of managers with the analytical process to decide the best strategy for the organization success.

Format of Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix

[adsense1]There are four main columns in QSPM, the left column list down the key internal and external key factors which are same as in EFE and IFE matrix. Adjacent column to key factors is Weight (relative importance of the factor) which hold the numeric value obtained from EFE and IFE matrix weight column. The next to weight is AS stands for attractive score assign priority to key factors using the numeric value 4 for most importance and 1 for least importance and the last column TAS (Total attractive score) is the value calculated by multiplying weight by AS. One thing important to note for each strategy separate AS and TAS value added in the table, weight remain same for all set of strategies mentioned in QSPM. The topmost shows the strategies are compared in the QSPM matrix, below mentioned table illustrate the structure of QSPM matrix.

Steps to develop Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM)

Step 1

Make a list of the firm’s key external opportunities/threats and internal strengths/weaknesses in the left column of the QSPM. This information should be taken directly from the EFE Matrix and IFE Matrix. A minimum of 10 external critical success factors and 10 internal critical success factors should be included in the QSPM.

Step 2

Assign weights to each key external and internal factor. These weights are identical to those in the EFE Matrix and the IFE Matrix. The weights are presented in a straight column just to the right of the external and internal critical success factors.

Step 3

Examine the Stage 2 (matching) matrices and identify alternative strategies that the organization should consider implementing. Record these strategies in the top row of the QSPM. Group the strategies into mutually exclusive sets if possible.