The impact effort matrix is a decision-making tool that helps you prioritize actions based on their impact and the effort required to carry them out. Select this Impact Effort Matrix Template to prioritize the following:
- Tasks and projects that produce the best results in the shortest amount of time
- Projects that are worth doing even though they'll take longer.
- Tasks and projects that won’t have a big impact on your customers
The matrix is divided into 4 quadrants:
Minimal-effort and low-impact: Although these activities require little work, they have a big impact on your customers.
Maximum-effort and low-impact: Tasks that take up a lot of your time but don't have much of an impact on your customers are called time-wasters or thankless tasks.
High-impact and minimum-effort: You can quickly and easily improve your customers' experience by completing these simple tasks.
High-impact and maximum-effort: Large projects that have a significant impact on your customers but require a lot of attention.
You can use these quadrants to see which tasks will have the most benefits for your customers.
How do you create an effort impact matrix?
Get the whole team together to create an impact effort matrix using FigJam`s template. It's important that the matrix is filled out by actual stakeholders who will be affected by the outcome, because they have a firsthand perspective on how tasks are completed and how much effort is required. Once the team is involved, start with the following steps:
Step 1: Brainstorm ideas and team goals. Identify main objectives and goals. This helps the team work together to achieve the mission.
Step 2: Start to fill up a four-quadrant chart. The impact effort matrix is plotted on two axes with the level of effort involved in a task on one axis and the level of potential impact completion of the task can have on the other.
Step 3: Add individual tasks into one of the four quadrants based on their urgency and importance. To create the matrix, start by plotting your tasks in terms of effort and impact. Then, go over each task with your team to make sure that everyone agrees with the placement.
Step 4: Your results should be guided by your action plan. You can determine which tasks deserve the most time and resources in the future by understanding the impact and effort of all tasks.
When to use an impact effort matrix
Impact effort matrix can be used to:
- Allocate resources: The matrix is helpful if you have limited time and resources. It can help you find the best option and allocate your resources if you have multiple courses of action to consider.
- Assign task's priority: An impact effort matrix is a prioritization tool that helps you identify the most efficient path to your goals. By focusing on quick wins, you can see results more quickly.
- Relate to customer needs: The matrix helps you to understand your customers' needs and wants so that you can better serve them.
Benefits of creating an impact effort matrix
The impact effort matrix provides many benefits for those who use it, including optimizing time and resources, providing a visual guide, and helping with strategic planning.
Prioritize tasks
The impact effort matrix helps you to focus on the tasks that will have the most positive effect on the customer and help them to achieve their goals.
Boost efficiency
An impact effort matrix can help you improve your time management by identifying areas where you can cut down on time-wasting activities.
Highlight goals
An impact effort matrix is a tool that gets all stakeholders aligned on goals and priorities. It does this by measuring the impact each effort will have. With this information, everyone involved knows the priorities, how they will impact customers, and how they fit in with the company's and project's goals.
