Strategic Analysis and Planning with MATRIX V5
Tutorial Step 8 - Competitive Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis
Below - An example of a Competitive Strength Analysis chart produced by MATRIX
V5, the software application for business strategists. Strengths are shown towards the top of the chart in green; weaknesses
are shown towards the bottom in red.
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The company is in a strong
position ranking amongst the best for ‘Precision Engineering’, ‘Speed of Initial Response’,
‘Technical Knowledge of Engineer’, and ‘Typical Engineer Call-out Time’. However its
‘Typical Unit Price’, which is more expensive than its key competitors, is considered
to be a weakness.
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'Hotspots', accessed by moving the cursor over the graph provide on-screen information about the Niche, Supplier,
Scores and other relevant details. The chart can be copied and pasted into a compatible graphics or presentation
package by means of the Right-Hand Mouse Click / 'Copy to Clipboard' function.
Underlying data which feeds the chart (i.e. Critical Success Factors, Criteria, Weights
and Scores) are entered via the Competitive Strength and
Criteria scorecards.
The 'Select Competitive Strength' Dialogue
MATRIX V5 is an 'expert user' software tool which provides great flexibility when
plotting 'Competitive Strength' Charts. Tabs on the 'Select Competitive Strength' dialogue
give the user choice in the format and detail of the plot.

To display the 'Select Competitive Strength' dialogue, click the
'Competitive Strength' button (above) which is located upon the toolbar.
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To display the Competitive Strengths and Weaknesses chart shown earlier,
select the Europe / Metallic Assemblies / Industrial Niche on the Segmentation Matrix. The
following settings are required within the ‘Select Competitive Strength’ Dialogue:
- Plot: Select ‘Strengths & Weaknesses’, and ‘HandyMan PLC’
- View: Select ‘Overview’, and ‘Analysis by Criterion’
Clicking the ‘Plot’ button reveals the required example.
The Tabs In Detail ...
1. Plot
Enables the following plots of Competitive Strength:
- Comparative - i.e. a summary 'Column' chart, which compares the
competitiveness of all Suppliers within the Niche. Each Supplier is colour coded and displayed in
order of competitiveness, the most competitive appearing first. A text description of each Supplier
is displayed beneath each column.
- Profile - i.e. a line chart which illustrates the performance of the Supplier
against each Critical Success Factor. Critical Success Factors are displayed from left to right in
order of 'Weight' (i.e. importance).
- Strengths & Weaknesses - i.e. a bar chart, which shows the inherent Strengths
and Weaknesses of the Supplier in focus. Critical Success Factors are displayed from top to bottom
in order of performance (i.e. 'strength'). A text description of the Critical Success Factor is
displayed adjacent to each bar.
2. View
Enables the view of a summary plot (containing all of the Suppliers / Critical Success Factors),
or a detailed plot (by expanding the X-Axis). Note the 'Expanded' option only becomes available when
the model supports a significant number of Suppliers / Critical Success Factors.
Also enables analysis by Critical Success Factor, or by Criterion.
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