Purpose
Quantify and compare big decisions with multiple competing factors. Used a few times a year — not daily. For decisions like move/stay, quit/continue, take the offer/decline, partner-with-X/partner-with-Y.
Procedure
- List the options — minimum two (e.g., Detroit vs Phoenix). Three or more works.
- List the decision factors — every consideration that matters: weather, schools, cost of living, family, entertainment, career options, climate, healthcare, etc. Don't filter — include all.
- Weight each factor 1–10 by how important it is to you (10 = most important). Be honest, not aspirational.
- Grade each option 1–10 on each factor (10 = best).
- Multiply weight × grade for each cell.
- Sum each column.
- Higher total = better choice.
Skeleton table
| Factor | Weight | Option A grade | Option A score | Option B grade | Option B score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | 10 | 4 | 40 | 8 | 80 |
| Schools | 3 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 15 |
| Entertainment | 8 | 8 | 64 | 6 | 48 |
| Cost of living | 7 | 5 | 35 | 7 | 49 |
| Near family | 6 | 9 | 54 | 2 | 12 |
| Total | 205 | 204 |
Worked example used by source
Author actually used WADM to decide whether to buy a no-money-down limousine company (offered) or move to Phoenix. Phoenix won → led to his Internet business → millions. He cites this as a Fastlane-level decision that WADM resolved cleanly when his gut was thrashing.
Tips
- If the score is very close (within a few %), the matrix is telling you the options are nearly equivalent — pick the one that retains optionality.
- If a factor weight is 10 and your two options grade it 2 vs 10, that single row will dominate — check whether you actually believe that weight, or whether you're inflating it for the answer you want.
- Tools mentioned by source: HelpMyDecision.com (referenced in book; not verified currently).
When not to use
- Daily small decisions — use WCCA instead.
- Pure ethical decisions where one option is wrong regardless of weights.
- Decisions where a critical factor is unknown — gather information first.