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Pairwise Comparison

5 minutes 5 Questions

Pairwise Comparison is a systematic and analytical prioritization technique used in requirements management to rank requirements by comparing them with each other in pairs. This method involves taking each requirement and comparing it directly against every other requirement to assess which one is more important. The fundamental premise is that it's easier for stakeholders to make a decision between two items rather than across a list of many. In practice, a matrix is often created where requirements are listed both horizontally and vertically. Each cell in the matrix represents a comparison between two requirements. Stakeholders or decision-makers go through the matrix, comparing the pairs, and assigning a value based on which requirement is deemed more important or if they hold equal importance. The values assigned during the comparisons are then tallied for each requirement. The totals are used to rank the requirements from highest to lowest priority. This method ensures a thorough evaluation, as every requirement is directly compared with every other, reducing bias that may occur when evaluating requirements independently. Pairwise Comparison is particularly useful when dealing with a moderate number of requirements. While the technique provides a high degree of precision in prioritization, it can become time-consuming and complex as the number of requirements increases because the number of comparisons grows exponentially. Benefits of Pairwise Comparison include fostering stakeholder engagement and facilitating discussions about the relative importance of requirements. It can reveal differing opinions among stakeholders, providing an opportunity to align on priorities and resolve conflicts. The method also aids in uncovering underlying rationale for preferences, leading to a deeper understanding of business needs. However, limitations include the potential for the process to become unwieldy with large numbers of requirements. It also assumes that all requirements can be directly compared, which may not be the case if they are of different types or relate to different aspects of the project. Despite these challenges, Pairwise Comparison remains a valuable tool for prioritization when used appropriately. By systematically assessing each requirement in relation to others, organizations can ensure that the most critical requirements are identified and addressed first, leading to more effective resource allocation and better alignment with business objectives.

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PMI-PBA - Requirements Prioritization Techniques Example Questions

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Question 1

In a pairwise comparison analysis for prioritizing requirements, if you have 6 requirements to compare, how many individual comparisons will need to be made?

Correct Answer: 15 comparisons

In pairwise comparison for 6 requirements, the calculation uses the formula: n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of requirements. Step 1: Insert n=6 into the formula Step 2: 6(6-1)/2 Step 3: 6(5)/2 Step 4: 30/2 Step 5: 15 comparisons This is because: - Each requirement is compared once with every other requirement - Once A is compared to B, we don't need to compare B to A again (it's redundant) - Requirements are not compared to themselves The formula accounts for these factors and shows that 15 unique comparisons are needed for 6 requirements. Other answers suggest too many comparisons by either counting each comparison twice or adding unnecessary self-comparisons.

Question 2

When conducting a pairwise comparison prioritization exercise, what is the most effective way to handle stakeholder disagreements on requirement importance?

Correct Answer: Use weighted voting based on stakeholder influence and expertise

Using weighted voting based on stakeholder influence and expertise is the most effective approach because: 1. It recognizes that not all stakeholders have equal impact or knowledge in the project 2. It provides a structured method to resolve conflicts while respecting organizational hierarchy 3. It aligns with best practices in requirements management by considering both authority and subject matter expertise 4. It helps create a balanced, objective decision-making process Why other options are less effective: Calculating average scores oversimplifies the decision-making process and may lead to suboptimal results by treating all stakeholder input equally. Maintaining separate matrices creates unnecessary complexity and fails to resolve the core disagreement, potentially leading to implementation problems later. Escalating all conflicts to senior management is inefficient, delays the process, and may result in decisions made by those less familiar with specific requirements details.

Question 3

In a pairwise comparison matrix, what does a value of '1' in cell A1-B1 indicate about the relationship between requirements A and B?

Correct Answer: Requirements A and B are of equal importance

In a pairwise comparison matrix, a value of '1' represents equal importance between the two requirements being compared. When requirements are compared in a pairwise matrix, values are assigned to indicate relative importance: - A value of 1 means equal importance - Values greater than 1 indicate higher importance - Values less than 1 indicate lower importance Other answers are incorrect because: - The value 1 does not indicate moderate importance (which would typically be represented by values like 3 or 5) - It does not represent twice the priority (which would be indicated by a value of 2) - It does not mean there is no relationship (as the value 1 specifically indicates a relationship of equal importance)

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