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Impact–effort matrix: a prioritization template

When a team has more ideas than time, an impact–effort matrix makes trade-offs visible. Put each idea on two axes: the result it could create and the work it could require. The template provides four quadrants and editable notes; the discussion supplies the estimates.

Time including discussion:
20–30 min
For:
Product teams, workshop groups and project leads

English template

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What you can leave with

A shortlist of ideas to investigate or start, with the assumptions behind their position clearly stated.

Prompts to fill the canvas

Use these questions alongside the areas on the board. Add one idea per note, then discuss the connections.

High impact, low effort

Which useful improvement can we test soon?

High impact, high effort

What valuable initiative needs planning or a smaller first step?

Low impact, low effort

Is this small improvement worth doing now?

Low impact, high effort

Should we defer it, simplify it or seek better evidence?

How to run this activity

  1. 1

    Define both axes

    Agree what impact means for this decision: fewer support requests, better accessibility or another concrete result. Include development, coordination and ongoing work in effort.

  2. 2

    Make ideas comparable

    Write one specific action per note. Split large initiatives into smaller pieces so a quick fix is not compared with an entire programme.

  3. 3

    Place and discuss

    Position notes together and ask for the reasoning behind disagreements. Mark uncertain estimates instead of making the chart look artificially precise.

  4. 4

    Check before committing

    Choose a small set, then check dependencies, mandatory work and available capacity. Record a next step and owner outside the matrix or beside the selected notes.

Make this activity yours

Keep what fits, rewrite what does not and set the pace for your group.

Use this template

Templates are included in the free plan. Participation limits depend on your plan. See plans.

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