Priority matrix image how to#

Because of the high effort required, there’s a degree of risk involved.

High impact/high effort: Often referred to as the “challenge quadrant,” this quadrant will likely require the most discussion.They use up a lot of resources and deliver little in exchange. Low impact/high effort: Unless absolutely necessary, options in this quadrant should be ignored.However, it could be necessary to build these out in order to support higher-impact projects. Low impact/low effort: Rendering little impact for little effort, these actions are often not worth the time.Achieving high-impact results in exchange for minimal effort is considered the sweet spot of an impact effort matrix. High impact/low effort: Few options fall into this category, but when they do, they should always be chosen.This will create four quadrants, representing: For each axis, label one end as ‘low’ and the other as ‘high.” Then, divide the graph into four sections. To use the matrix, simply plot the potential impact of an action on the y-axis of the chart and plot the effort required to take that action on the x-axis. So, the benefits of using an impact effort matrix are convincing, but how do you actually use one? Let’s walk through the process. Creating a sequence of prioritized tasks.Other benefits of using the matrix to perform an impact effort analysis include:

An impact effort matrix gets people thinking realistically about how much effort each project will really require, helping you bypass the tendency to underestimate effort. While it doesn’t always provide a clear answer, it does give you a basis on which to start analyzing strategies and can lead to extremely productive discussions.Īnother key advantage of using this matrix relates to something called ‘the planning fallacy.’ This describes the general tendency people have to underestimate how much effort something will take. It provides a framework teams can use to make informed and objective decisions about their next moves. Using an impact effort matrix helps provide a visual overview of how projects vary in terms of these two important factors. For this reason, it’s useful to have an objective way of choosing between initiatives or projects based on effort and impact. When people have conflicting ideas, hold-ups can occur, as can conflict. Individuals may have their own subjective preferences about which major projects should take the lead. Prioritizing projects can be difficult with multiple people involved in the decision-making process. Put simply, an impact effort matrix is a tool to help prioritize tasks based on the amount of return you’ll reap on a certain amount of effort. By doing so, the organization can create an action plan for the project that offers the highest return on investment. An impact effort matrix can be used to compare the relative impact and effort of different actions to identify those likely to be successful.įor example, an organization might use the matrix to compare the impact and effort of a new marketing campaign against the impact and effort of a new product launch. The effort required to implement an action is measured in terms of time, money, or other resources. The impact of an action is typically measured in terms of its ability to achieve a specific project goal. Get the template What is an impact effort matrix?Īn impact effort matrix is a decision-making tool you can use to prioritize tasks based on their potential impact and the amount of effort required to implement them. Let’s explore what an impact effort matrix is, why you might want to use one, and how you can start implementing a matrix to prioritize tasks today. So, which project should you choose? It’s a difficult decision, but creating an impact effort matrix can help make it easier. You may actually find that by the time you’ve finished building it, the cherries have fallen or someone else has picked them. By contrast, if you put all your efforts into building that ladder, you could end up with cherries - but there’s no guarantee.

With low-hanging fruit, there’s not much risk involved. For example, is it better to focus on low-impact projects given they require proportionately low effort, or are high-impact, high-effort endeavors more worthwhile? Should you reach for the low- hanging fruit or build a ladder and reach for the cherries at the top of the tree?

Priority matrix image how to#

Something entrepreneurs and project managers frequently grapple with is how to best spend their time and resources.