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The Matrix in Analysis

Its use as a Diagnostic Tool

The Matrix serves us in two very useful ways – for planning and for analysing existing ministry and its suitability for different audiences

If you are already involved in a program of outreach then applying the Matrix to each of the elements in turn could prove to be a very enlightening exercise. The following have been developed in the context of radio programming for specific audiences but they may be applied equally in a broader context. The same principles apply...

Here is what you might do:

• Identify the intended audience and then check various elements in the program to see how well both the form and the content match this audience.
• Ask yourself the following questions:
  • Will the listener find this program easy to understand - not just in language, but in terms of terminology, concepts, and ideas? Is he ready for it? (how do you know?)
  • Does it touch the problems and the hopes of that listener?
  • Does this provide an accurate reflection of the listener's culture - or sub-culture?
  • How does this acknowledge the questions and difficulties likely to be in the listener's mind? (why is that important?)
  • Is the format (or form of outreach) appropriate to a) the purpose of the program? b) the listener? (will he want to come back for more?)
  • What other themes, implications or concepts could be included to give the listener a deeper sense of involvement with the topic and the program?
• Use a blank Matrix and use it to do the following
  • Mark on the Matrix where you think one of your programs is targeted. This should be done in terms of how you answered the questions above
  • Use a pen of a different colour to mark on the Matrix where you think the target group for that program
  • Compare the location of the marks you have drawn on the Matrix. How close are they? Do they overlap? - or are they a long way apart?
  • Repeat this for each of your programs
• Face up to what you learn from this exercise - and take action! Ask yourself what changes you may need to make your programs align better with your target audiences.