The Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) is a graphical approach to view and analyse the structure of dependencies between elements in a complex system, such as a product, process or organisation. DSM can be a useful tool for discovering and highlighting aspects of the dependency structure, such as groups of elements which are strongly coupled to each other. It is also useful for visualising the dependency structure in a compact form.
DSM is a square matrix representing linkages between system elements. The elements can represent tasks in process, product components or ogranisation teams. The markings in cells represent the linkages between elements. In CAM, reading across a row in DSM reveals the inputs that the element in that row recieves from other elements and a column represents the outputs that the element in that column given to other elements.