Assessment results are derived based on how the factors within the assessment have been defined in the administration application. For example, a client being assessed for substance abuse can be classified as either Need (-5 to -3) or Strength (0 to 3). To derive this, a score (-5,-3,0 and 3) is assigned to each possible answer for the substance abuse question within a CDA matrix. In this case there are four possible answers. If there were more than four possible answers additional scores could be assigned.
Based on the answer provided by the client, the system matches the score associated with the clients answer to the scores ranges associated with the classification of Need or Strength. So, if the score assigned to the answer 'Chronic Alcohol or Drug Abuse' is -3, then the client is classified as Need.