This presentation will help SMBs create and implement a decision rights matrix (DRM) for their projects.

1. How to Build a Decision Rights Matrix for
Better Agile Project Management

2. 2
Introduction
This presentation will help SMBs create and implement a decision rights matrix (DRM) for their
projects.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
● Building a Decision Rights Matrix (DRM)
○ Step #1: Identify the Project Stakeholders
○ Step #2: Create the Discussion Draft
○ Step #3: Build the DRM
● Overcoming Challenges
● Conclusion and Next Steps
What is a decision rights matrix?
A decision rights matrix is a tool that predetermines
many top-level decisions by assigning
decision-making authority to specific team
members or teams. The templatized matrix can be
recycled across several projects to improve
accountability and eliminate chaotic processes.

3. 3
Building a Decision Rights Matrix (DRM)
Source: Software Advice 1
Step #1: Identify the Project Stakeholders:
● List the people who have influence over and interest in the project.
○ Influence: Determines how critical the stakeholders are to the
successful completion of project.
○ Interest: Determines how engaged the stakeholders are to a project.
● Put these people into a project stakeholder’s quadrant. Here are four
examples (ref. image) of stakeholders:
Project sponsor: Responsible for procuring resources and ensuring the
project aligns with strategic business plans.
Project management office (PMO): Helps establish project management
(PM) standards in an organization.
Sales: Responsible for selling a company’s products or services.
Contractor: A third-party person or firm offering services to a company.

4. 4
Building a Decision Rights Matrix (DRM)
Step #2: Create the Discussion Draft
● In order to arrive at the final product that fits your business, you’ll need to start with a discussion draft.
● The discussion draft should have the following four components.

5. 5
Building a Decision Rights Matrix (DRM)
Step #3: Build the DRM
● Use the DRM to simplify the decision-making process and ease team members into fully embracing the agile mindset. Below is an
example of DRM:
Major Decision Topic
Area
Decision Subject/Type Decision Qualifiers Owner/Role
Budget
Initial project budget approval None PMO
Project budget forecast changes
Up to $25,000
Current-year budget only
Project sponsor
Greater than $25,000
Current or future year
PMO
Expectation changes Scope and contents
Inclusions or exclusions—functional
requirements
Project sponsor
Changes in major business units or
functions included or excluded
PMO
Source: Gartner (November) 2
Key Benefits
● Helps you assign the
correct project decision
owners and ensure faster
delivery.
● Reduces employee stress
working in fast paced,
collaborative
environments.
● Helps organizations
smoothly adopt agile
project management
practices.

6. 6
Improve your
decision right
matrix by
incorporating the
feedback of
relevant
stakeholders.
Overcoming Challenges
Determine what
personality traits
and skills of the
selected decision
owners are critical
to the success of
the project.
Share the
discussion draft to
make the process
less contentious,
but keep this
discussion group
small.

7. 7
● Read the full report here:
http://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/decision-rights-matrix-for-agile-project-management/
● Check out our project management software buyer’s guide to see what the latest market trends are for
small businesses: http://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/#buyers-guide
● Find out the latest project management trends SMBs need to know:
http://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/project-management-trends-for-small-business/
● Give us a call at (844) 680-2046 for a free consultation with a software advisor.
Here’s a quick summary of what you must do to create and implement a successful DRM for your organization:
● Identify project stakeholders who are critical to the project’s success.
● Create a discussion draft and outline the four components of the DRM.
● Build consensus around the decision owners with the input from a small group.
● Review and update the DRM periodically.
Conclusions and Next Steps

8. 8
1. “How to Effectively Manage and Engage Project Stakeholders (Checklist)” -
http://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/project-stakeholder-management/
2. “Nail Down Program and Project Authority With a Decision Rights Matrix” - https://www.gartner.com/document/3499317
Sources

9. 9
@PMSoftAdvice