The document introduces the concept of a concept matrix for representing relationships between concepts. It discusses how concept matrices can be used to visualize relationships that are commonly represented in other formats like tables, graphs and diagrams. The key points are: 1. A concept matrix shows how concepts (represented along columns and rows) are related to each other with relationships entered in the intersecting cells. 2. Concept matrices allow multiple types of relationships between concepts to be represented and analyzed. 3. Spreadsheets provide an accessible tool for creating and manipulating concept matrices to model complex systems and processes.

1. Putcha V. Narasimham
Knowledge Enabler Systems Founder Professor & Proprietor
205, Krishna Apts, Avenue No 6, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad 500034 India
kenablersys@yahoo.com or putchavn@yahoo.com
Our Ref: see footer
Date: 03OCT12, 02NOV12, 05NOV12
Concept Map to Matrix—Concept Matrix
Being competent, effective and efficient is 90% mindset and 10% toolset.
---Roger Tregear
AA Math and Matrices: Matrices were recognized to be very valuable for representation
(modeling), analysis and design---more so for computation. That was largely left for the
mathematicians and abnormal software professionals to refine and deploy.
BB Simple and Sophisticated: Treat them just as tables or N-Dimensional Arrays—they are
the same. I found matrices reappearing in simplified and complex forms in popular non-
mathematical documents and also sophisticated research publications.
BB1 Tables: TQM (Customer Satisfaction and Critical Success Factors Matrix, House of
Quality), Marketing (adjacency and dependency), Basic Software Engineering
(modularity, coupling & cohesion), Workflow Diagrams or Process Maps.
BB2 Processes with Feedback, Graphs, Networks and Matrices: They also use
matrices. Eg., Software Architecture (modularity, coupling & cohesion), Process
Representation, Project Management, Manufacturing, Planning, Knowledge
Representation (Conceptual Graphs of John Sowa), Concept Maps, Resource Description
Frameworks (RDF Subject-Predicate-Object Triples), Semantic Networks. DSM, MICMAC
Structural Analysis Matrices etc belong here.
CC The Essence—Abstraction: The basic concept of “things and their relations” is at the
core of all the above apparently unrelated fields. The beauty is that highly sophisticated
intricacies can be precisely represented and “scaled” to represent a large complex system
or process or phenomenon. Then, they can be used for analysis, planning and design also.
What is better still---they can be turned over to computer with confidence.
DD Simple folks deal with complex stuff: Now-a-days it has become necessary for any
worker to draw and describe block diagrams, workflow and process maps. They have to
read, create and act on BPMN or UML Activity or Workflow Diagrams.
DD1: No Space for Graphics: Because of the limited size of a page or screen, it
has become difficult to use graphics (represent more than five blocks in a diagram).
DD2: Versatile Spreadsheets are here for everyone: On the other hand the
availability and the power of spreadsheets have made matrices less intimidating
and worth mastering, even for a lay user.
EE Just put it in a Spreadsheet: If one is doing anything serious and is likely to use it again,
it is safe and advantageous to “put it in a spreadsheet” according to some rules and
conventions. The reward: rapid analysis, processing and possible automation.
Concept Map to Matrix--Concept Matrix 05NOV12 Page No 1 of 4
The Best Anywhere Must Reach the Needy Everywhere

2. Putcha V. Narasimham
Knowledge Enabler Systems Founder Professor & Proprietor
205, Krishna Apts, Avenue No 6, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad 500034 India
kenablersys@yahoo.com or putchavn@yahoo.com
So, here we are, ready to use Tables /
Spreadsheets for business systems,
dependencies, processes, management,
monitoring etc.
But there is a problem still.
Tables and matrices are easy to create but
difficult to visualize and understand.
So, we need some software to
Create Maps from Tables.
But that is not all
We should be able to edit such Maps
And also more details to the Tables
Keeping Maps and Tables compatible all the time!
Where are the great mathematicians
and programmers to do the above?
Cordially,
Putcha V. Narasimham
See the next two pages for
Concept Matrix Principles
And examples
Concept Map to Matrix--Concept Matrix 05NOV12 Page No 2 of 4
The Best Anywhere Must Reach the Needy Everywhere

3. Putcha V. Narasimham
Knowledge Enabler Systems Founder Professor & Proprietor
205, Krishna Apts, Avenue No 6, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad 500034 India
kenablersys@yahoo.com or putchavn@yahoo.com
Concept Matrix Principles
1. Concept Map or Matrix Shows how things (see columns and rows) are related Comment [PVN1]: Note the order. Columns
first….that is x coordinate first in (x,y)
to other things. See the table below
2. Each RELATION is shown in the (x, y) intersection CELL of the column and
row.
3. Later we will classify and parameterize the relations. We will have layers or
planes of matrices for the things that are related in multiple ways
4. First select the Column for the thing you are interested in, say 4. Let’s say 4 is
related to 6. Then, under Column 4 find the CELL in row 6. In that cell write
how 4 is related to 6---NOT how 6 is related to 4.
5. The relation 4 to 6 may NOT be the same as the relation 6 to 4. For that you
have another cell at the intersection of column-6 and row 4.
Concept Matrix
Things 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1
2
3
6 Can be a
4 brother of or
sister of 4
5
4 Is
6 brother
of 6
7
Concept Map to Matrix--Concept Matrix 05NOV12 Page No 3 of 4
The Best Anywhere Must Reach the Needy Everywhere

4. Putcha V. Narasimham
Knowledge Enabler Systems Founder Professor & Proprietor
205, Krishna Apts, Avenue No 6, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad 500034 India
kenablersys@yahoo.com or putchavn@yahoo.com
6. Generalization of a Relation: You can redefine the relation as “sibling” and add a
tag Sibling-brother or Sibling-sister and bring better order / structure to the
things and relations.
Concept Matrix can be used for any set of things and their relations. Typically, maps,
networks, systems with parts & connections can be precisely and completely
represented by a single or a set of Concept Matrices.
Read the articles in the References.
Try to represent processes, buildings with corridors, electrical, gas, plumbing
connections, Projects workers deliverables etc. It is fun….and it can scale and lend
itself to processing.
I will keep refining this and USING IT… so watch and ask for updates. I had just
corrected the “cell reference convention—x,y, column first and row next.
Putcha V. Narasimham
References:
Ali A. Yassine, An Introduction to Modeling and Analyzing Complex Product Development
Processes Using the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) Method
Product Development Research Laboratory , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL. 61801.
Very good explanation and examples of effective partitioning in project management and planning
But they did not talk of multiple relations and layers of matrices.
Neeraj Sangal, E V Jordan, Lattix, Inc.{neeraj.sangal,ev.jordan}@lattix.com
Vineet Sinha, Daniel Jackson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Using Dependency Models to Manage Complex Software Architecture
Very good explanation and examples of effective partitioning in software architecture. But they did not
talk of multiple relations and layers of matrices.
---III---
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