Matrix Library

Manage risk matrices — the severity × probability grids used in hazard evaluation.

What this is for

A risk matrix is a grid where each cell represents a combination of severity (impact if the hazard occurs) and probability (likelihood). Each cell has a risk level (Low, Medium, High, etc.) with a colour. Different standards use different matrix shapes — 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, with varying labels and colours.

MyHaccpPlan ships with default matrices and lets you create custom ones. There are two scopes:

• Global matrices — managed by Datahex, available via Marketplace.
• Customer matrices — your organization’s matrices.

When you create a plan, you pick one matrix in Setup. The chosen matrix’s cells appear in the Risk picker when you set a hazard’s risk score.

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Common tasks

How to open the Matrix Library

Click the Matrix icon in the header (or File → Matrix Library).

How to download a global matrix to your library

1. Click Marketplace in the sidebar.
2. Browse global matrices.
3. Click Add to my library.

How to create a new matrix

1. Click + Add matrix.
2. Type a Name and Description.
3. Configure the grid:
   • Number of rows (severity levels).
   • Number of columns (probability levels).
   • Levels — the named groupings (Low / Medium / High / etc.) with colours.

How to edit row and column labels

Click any row or column header in the grid → edit inline. Common labels: severity rows from Negligible to Catastrophic, probability columns from Rare to Frequent.

How to assign cells to levels

By default, cells are assigned to a level by their (row × column) score. You can override individual cells:

1. Click a cell.
2. Pick a different level from the popover.

The cell’s colour updates to match the chosen level.

How to manage levels

In the level editor:

1. Click a level to rename or change its colour.
2. Click + Add level to add a new one.
3. Click × to delete (cells using the deleted level fall back to a default).

How to import / export a .hplnm file

• Import — click Import, pick a .hplnm file.
• Export — click Export, pick selected or all.

How to use a matrix in a plan

In the Setup wizard step 2, pick a matrix from the dropdown. When you add or evaluate a hazard, the Risk picker uses your matrix.

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Screen reference

Sidebar

Element	Description
Matrix list	Your customer matrices.
+ Add	Create a matrix.
Marketplace	Browse global matrices.
Import / Export	.hplnm files.

Detail panel

Element	Description
Name + description	Editable.
Grid	Visual severity × probability matrix. Click cells.
Level editor	Manage Low/Medium/High etc. with colours.
Row / column count	Resize the grid.

Cell popover

Element	Description
Auto score	The default level for this cell.
Override level	Pick a different level.
Reset to auto	Clear the override.

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FAQs

What’s the difference between rows and columns? By convention, rows are severity (vertical axis) and columns are probability (horizontal axis). You can label them however your standard requires.

Can I have a non-square matrix (e.g., 3 rows × 5 columns)? Yes — set rows and columns independently.

Why does my hazard’s risk colour not match what I expect? The colour comes from the level assigned to the cell. Check the cell in the matrix and confirm it’s mapped to the level you want. Cell-level overrides take precedence over auto-assignment.

If I change a matrix, does it update existing plans? No — plans embed a snapshot of the matrix at creation. To pull updates, re-link the matrix in File → Edit setup (CONFIRM warning if hazards exist).

Can I delete a level? Yes, but cells using it will need a new assignment (auto or manual override). Be careful — make a copy of the matrix first if it’s used in many plans.

What’s a .hplnm file? A plain JSON file containing one or more matrices (grid, levels, custom scores). Use it to back up or share between instances.