A matrix for museological diagnostics and planning

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical discussion that provides support for the development of a methodological tool to assess and plan the activities of museums or musealisation processes. According to the author, a matrix for museological diagnostics, planning and management should be used to create or renovate small or large, conventional or unconventional museums. This work is the result of PhD research that produced a book already in its third edition in Brazil. For the creation of the matrix, an attempt was made to identify the common aspects among different types and museum models. The proposed concept includes a theoretical and conceptual discussion, as well as the establishment of a museological structure or tool to justify work in this field. These aspects will be discussed in this article, as well as the details of their contributions to applied research in museology and to the qualification of museums. The matrix resulting from this research can be used to not only carry out museological diagnostics or institutional evaluations of existing museums, but also as a reference framework for the creation of new museums and for musealization processes. In the article, significant attention is given to clarifying the use of the terms used in the matrix in order to allow its interpretation and application in a variety of cases based on precise museological thought. Thus, theory and practice are concerned with understanding and using this matrix for museological diagnostics and planning.