Directional Policy Matrix (DPM) Model

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The essence of strategy is that it is a choice between two or more good options.

In developing a marketing strategy the choice to be made is of which segments of the market you should develop tactics to pursue.

The Directional Policy Matrix (DPM) is a tool for helping you determine what your preferred segments are. In completing a DPM you understand what you should invest in and the direction your organization should take. The directional policy matrix helps you determine whether decisions made in the day-to-day running of the organization are in its best interest.

The Directional Policy Matrix measures the attractiveness of a segment and the capability of the organization to support that segment.

The attractiveness of a Market Segment

Evaluating the attractiveness of a segment should include but not be limited to, these variables:

  • Size of the segment (number of customers, units or $ sales)

  • The growth rate of the segment (a very important variable)

  • Profit margins of the segment to the sales organization

  • The ongoing purchasing power of the segment

  • Attainable market share is given promotional budget, fragmentation of the market and competitors’ promotional expenditures

  • Required market share to break even.

The capability of the organization

Evaluating the capability of the organization to meet the needs of the segments should include, but not be limited to, these variables analyzed against the competition:

  • The competitive capability of the organization against the marketing mix (product/service, place, price and promotion)

  • Access to distribution channels

  • Capital and human resource investment required to serve the segment

  • Brand association of the organization in the eyes of the segment

  • Current market share/likely future market share.

Scoring the Directional Policy Matrix

To score the DPM you need to know the goal of your marketing strategy. This may be, but is not limited to:

  1. Profit lift

  2. Market share lift

  3. Value of the organization if it were for sale.

Interpreting the Directional Policy Matrix

The directional policy matrix suggests tactics for each of the nine sectors, as shown in the figure below.

The tactics for each sector descriptor are:

  1. Leader – Focus your resources on segments in this sector.

  2. Growth leader – Grow by focusing just enough resources here.

  3. Cash Generator – Milk segments in this sector for expansion elsewhere.

  4. Phased withdrawal – Move cash to segments with greater potential.

  5. Custodial – Do not commit any more resources to segments in this sector.

  6. Try harder –Determine if there are ways in which you can build your capability for segments in this sector for low levels of cash.

  7. Double or quit – Invest in your capability or get out of segments in this sector.

  8. Divest – Liquidate or move assets used in segments in this sector as fast as you can.

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