3.6 Defined term
matrix
A two-dimensional picture that sets the methods of AI systems against their capabilities. It is the shape of the description, not a score and not a maturity model.
What this settles
The definition fixes the geometry: methods on one axis, capabilities on the other. That geometry is what allows a reader to find a fact in a known place instead of reading a narrative.
Who it binds
No one. It is a definition. It becomes operative when an organisation adopts the matrix as a template.
What to do in your practice
Keep one template with fixed axes and a version. Adding a third dimension quietly turns the matrix into a different artefact and breaks comparability across systems and over time.
Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for
| The matrix template with the axes labelled and a version number. | Fixes the geometry. |
|---|---|
| Two filled matrices at the same version. | Proves comparability. |
| A change note if an axis or descriptor was added. | Shows the artefact is controlled. |
Is everyone using the same matrix version, or has a third dimension crept in?
Common gaps this page catches
- Each team uses its own grid, so the descriptions cannot be compared.
- A score is added to the matrix and read as a maturity level.
- The template changes without a version, so older matrices cannot be interpreted.
What to prepare before publication
Version the template and freeze the axes for a review cycle. Publish the version alongside any matrix that leaves the team.
How to test it here
Take one live system rather than a template, find the field or sentence where matrix is used, and put this page beside it. Record the answer, the artefact and the date. A glossary entry on its own is an intention; a dated record beside a live artefact is evidence.
What this page does not claim
The page does not reproduce the draft, does not know the descriptor wording that the public preview withholds, and does not certify the system or the organisation. It states the unit at the claim level "defined term" and stops where the public record stops.
Common questions
- What does matrix mean in ISO/IEC DIS 42102?
- A two-dimensional picture that sets the methods of AI systems against their capabilities. It is the shape of the description, not a score and not a maturity model.
- What evidence should we keep for 3.6?
- The matrix template with the axes labelled and a version number. Two filled matrices at the same version.
- Is matrix a requirement?
- No. The draft is a descriptive framework. It sets no management system requirement and no conformity test. It becomes binding only when a contract, a regulator or a management system adopts it.
Related units
Last updated: · Markdown version · Check your system