Impact-Effort Matrix

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Quickly identify ideas worth your effort.

A nonprofit tackling air pollution and respiratory health in an industrial town had dozens of ideas—workshops, mask distribution, air monitors, school campaigns. But where to start? Partnering with schools to teach kids about air quality was easy to launch and highly influential. Installing real-time air monitors around town was a Major Project—important, but resource-intensive.

Steps

1. Draw a grid with two axes—Impact (vertical) and Effort (horizontal).

2. Write each idea or project on a sticky note, making sure it's clearly stated.

3. For each idea or project, ask two questions: How much impact will this have? How much effort will it take?

4. Place each note in the right quadrant:

   • Quick wins (High impact, Low effort) – Prioritize these.

   • Major projects (High impact, High effort) – Plan and manage carefully.

   • Fill-ins (Low impact, Low effort) – Do when you have extra time.

   • Thankless tasks (Low impact, High effort) – Avoid or delegate.

5. Revisit the matrix often to adjust based on changing priorities or new information.

Based on the ideas of Dwight D. Eisenhower (1954).

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