Decision-Making in Agribusiness: How to Choose the Best Agricultural Machine for Your Needs?
Choosing the best agricultural machine for your operation is a challenge that requires careful analysis. The market offers a multitude of models, from the most basic to highly technological equipment. But how can you make an assertive decision, avoiding impulsive purchases and future regrets?
The answer lies in adopting a structured method, such as the Decision Matrix. This simple and effective tool allows you to compare different options logically and objectively, assigning weights to each evaluation criterion according to your needs.
Why is a well-founded choice essential?
When investing in an agricultural machine, you are not just buying equipment but ensuring productivity, efficiency, and financial return. Choosing a model without detailed analysis can result in high maintenance costs, excessive fuel consumption, or even difficulties in replacing parts.
The Decision Matrix helps minimize these risks by providing a clear view of the available options, considering the essential criteria that you find most relevant to your situation and assigning different weights to each criterion.
How does the Decision Matrix work?
The process is simple and intuitive and uses an Excel spreadsheet to support decision-making. First, you define the most important criteria for your decision. Then, you assign a weight to each one with scores of 1, 3, or 5, with 5 being the most relevant. Next, you enter the machine models to be compared and evaluate each one, also using scores of 1, 3, or 5 based on the defined criteria.
The Decision Matrix spreadsheet automatically calculates the final score of each model by multiplying the criterion scores by their respective weights and summing the values. The equipment with the highest score is, rationally, the best choice.
Training: a decisive factor
When choosing the ideal equipment, operator training is an essential factor in maximizing machine performance. The more advanced the embedded technology, the greater the need for training to ensure all functionalities are fully utilized. The availability of training is a very important aspect to consider when deciding on a new machine.
With this in mind, some of the leading brands in the sector offer online training through the Werkey portal, allowing operators to prepare even before the technical delivery. This improves knowledge absorption during technical delivery, reducing operational failures, increasing efficiency and productivity in the field, and facilitating future reference to course content.
Download the Decision Matrix for free!
To help you in this decision-making process, Werkey provides a free Excel spreadsheet with the Decision Matrix. With it, you can customize the criteria and compare different models objectively.
Click the link below to download it for free and start making more well-founded decisions right now!
Watch on YouTube:
Additionally, check out the video below to see a practical example of how to use the matrix when choosing the ideal tractor for your operation. Did you like this article? Share it with those who need to make smarter decisions in agribusiness!
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