Zielmatrix

Zielmatrix, literally meaning “goal matrix” in German, is a planning and assessment framework used to organize, compare, and prioritize organizational objectives. It typically takes the form of a grid in which each row represents a specific goal and each column contains evaluation criteria such as strategic relevance, expected impact, feasibility, required resources, cost, risk, timeline, and an accountable owner. Variants adjust the set of criteria or add indicators and weights to produce a weighted score for each goal.

The primary purpose of a Zielmatrix is to improve transparency and alignment between strategy and action. By scoring or rating goals against common criteria, organizations can identify high-priority initiatives, detect potential conflicts or dependencies, and allocate resources accordingly. The matrix also supports communication with stakeholders by providing a concise, shared view of why certain goals are pursued over others.

Typical processes involve defining goals, selecting appropriate criteria, scoring goals, applying weights, and computing overall scores to rank initiatives. After ranking, actions are planned, owners are assigned, milestones are set, and progress is monitored using key performance indicators or milestones.

Zielmatrix is used across corporate, governmental, and non-profit contexts, often in combination with other planning tools such as roadmaps, balanced scorecards, or strategy maps. While it shares similarities with decision matrices and impact-effort analyses, the Zielmatrix emphasizes goal-oriented prioritization and strategic alignment within German-language management practice. See also: decision matrix, impact-effort matrix, balanced scorecard, strategy map.