Design Structure Matrix (DSM)

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Design Structure Matrix is a compact matrix representation of a system. It is a square matrix that lists all system activities and dependencies between them. Quantum XL will allow you to create, modify and sequence DSM. In order to make it easier to fill large matrices, Quantum XL has a DSM navigator tool.

Sequence DSM

Reorder DSM columns and rows so that the resulting DSM does not contain feedback marks, or they are as close as possible to the diagonal. Quantum XL uses the path search algorithm to sequence DSM.

AEAP and ALAP

Reorder DSM using As-Early-As-Possible (AEAP) and As-Late-As-Possible (ALAP) rules.

AEAP and ALAP are partitioning methods which try to bring the matrix to the lower triangular form. The difference between this method and the paths searching method is that AEAP and ALAP provide information about process hierarchies.

AEAP and ALAP break the DSM matrix into levels.

In the AEAP matrix, a task starts immediately after all its inputs (precedent tasks) are available.
In the ALAP matrix, a task is delayed to the extent that it does not delay the entire project.