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Impact/Effort Matrix

Impact/Effort Matrix Bad Practice
Impact/Effort Matrix Best Practice

The Impact/Effort Matrix, differing from the Eisenhower Matrix, prioritizes ideas based on effort and impact. While the Eisenhower Matrix sorts tasks by urgency and importance, the Impact/Effort Matrix assesses them for the effort they require and the impact they'll have. The framework consists of 4 quadrants:

  • High impact, low effort (Quick wins): Easy to implement ideas with significant effects. Ideal for quick, impactful results with minimal resources.
  • High impact, high effort (Big projects): Ideas with substantial impact but requiring more resources and planning. Starting these projects early is crucial for long-term benefits.
  • Low impact, high effort (Fill-in jobs): Tasks that demand effort but offer limited impact. Generally, they are low priority unless further analysis increases their value.
  • Low impact, low effort (Thankless tasks): Tasks that are neither impactful nor demanding. If unavoidable, they should be completed efficiently or modified for greater impact without additional effort.
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