Impact-Effort Matrix

How it works

The Impact-Effort matrix (also: Value-Effort matrix) is a two-dimensional visual that helps to map user value against implementation effort.

• Impact: This is the user and / or business value the item will create
• Effort: This is the amount of work and resources required to implement the item

This technique is particularly useful when you need a quick and very easy way to prioritize a large backlog.

Facilitation

Voting based on expertise

Team members receive dots in different colors for value and effort. In the first step, they will assign dots based on their expertise.

1. Put all items on a whiteboard.
2. (Make sure the items are comparable)
3. Team members vote based on their expertise

Collaborative prioritization

In the next step, the team gathers and assigns the items to the Impact-Effort matrix. Allow negotiation but stop discussions. If the group is incoherent and tends to discuss create time pressure by making it a time-boxed activity.

1. Facilitator asks the whole team where to place the item
2. The team will provide reasoning and negotiate
3. The facilitator will stop discussions

Align on the result

The result is a shared visual that aligns the expertise, knowledge and understanding of the team.

1. Facilitator summarizes result and agreement

Pros and Cons

Because of its simplicity and versatility the Impact-Effort matrix is a valuable technique to identify high value items but there are also some limitations.

Advantages

• Intuitive and easy to understand
• High adaptable
• Easy alignment tool in any co-creation activity

Disadvantages

• Oversimplifies complex problems
• Subjective value assessment
• Does not reflect dependencies across items

Adaptability

Feel free to adapt the matrix to your needs.