Business Cases, Options and ScopeResource

Impact/Effort Matrix

Prioritising ideas by impact and effort.

An impact–effort matrix plots ideas or actions according to their expected value and required effort. It helps identify quick wins, major projects, low-value tasks and activities that should be reconsidered.

How to use this tool

  1. Define purpose and audience

    Define the purpose, scope and audience.

  2. Agree your assessment approach

    Agree how impact and effort will be assessed.

  3. Score and plot the ideas

    Score and plot the ideas consistently.

  4. Review and agree priorities

    Review the result and agree priorities.

References & further reading

International Institute of Business Analysis (2015). A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), Version 3. IIBA.