Tools - P - Q

Tool 127: Pair Matching Overlay

AKA

Partner Link

Classification

Team Building (TB)

Tool description

The pair matching overlay technique searches for an ideal mentor-prot g match or partnership. This match-up results when both mentors and prot g s indicate their first and second choices (of partners) among the listed names on a matrix. This matrix is eventually overlaid with all choices to display the matching sets of names.

Typical application

• To effectively match mentors and prot g s to the satisfaction of both.

• To provide a quality personal development alternative that assists highly ranked potential candidates to prepare for higher job responsibilities.

• To find mentor-prot g partnerships that are mutualy selected by both parties.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
→	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
2	Administration/documentation
1	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
3	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Circle of opportunity

• Demographic Analysis

• Circles of Influence

• Surveying

• Starbursting

after

• Critical Dialogue

• Interview Technique

• Different Point of View

• Run-It-By

• Consensus Decision Making

Notes and key points

• Returned matrices are overlaid to check for mutual choices of partners: 1 = first choice, 2 = second choice.

• 

• Do not exceed a 15 x 15 matrix configuration of names.

• For best results: Reproduce 40 copies of the mentor-prot g matrix and provide each participant with a copy to record their preferences, if any.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 Two lists of names are draw-up: One is a list of available mentors and the other is a list of high potential candidates, or prot g s.

• STEP 2 A pair matching overlay matrix is used to display the names of identified mentors and prot g s. Their organizational unit or department affiliation is also shown. See example Searching for Mutually Agreeable Paartnerships.

• STEP 3 Once the matrix is finalized, copies are made and mailed to all listed mentors and prot g s to allow them to indicate their first and second choices.

• STEP 4 Upon return of the completed matrices, mentor-prot g matches are identified by overlaying the choices of mentor and prot g matrices.

• STEP 5 A final pair matching overlay matrix can be completed with all matches or partnerships identified as shown in the example of a partially completed matrix.

• STEP 6 Date the final matrix.

Example of tool application