Ease Impact Matrix

The Ease-Impact Matrix is a tool used to evaluate different options or ideas based on their potential impact and the level of effort required to implement them. It is often used in strategic planning, decision-making, and project management to help prioritize initiatives and allocate resources.

To use the Ease-Impact Matrix:

1. Draw a two-by-two grid with "Ease" on the horizontal axis and "Impact" on the vertical axis.

2. Define the scale for each axis. For example, the ease axis could range from "low effort" to "high effort," while the impact axis could range from "low impact" to "high impact."

3. Brainstorm a list of options or ideas that you want to evaluate, and write each one on a separate post-it note or card.

4. Place each option or idea on the grid based on its perceived ease and impact. Options that require low effort and have high impact would be placed in the top left quadrant, while options that require high effort and have low impact would be placed in the bottom right quadrant.

5. Review the options on the grid and use the information to prioritize initiatives or allocate resources. Options in the top left quadrant may be considered high-priority, while options in the bottom right quadrant may be considered low-priority or postponed.

The Ease-Impact Matrix can be a helpful tool for evaluating different options or ideas in a systematic and objective way. It can help to identify opportunities for high-impact initiatives that require low effort, as well as potential roadblocks or low-impact initiatives that require high effort.

However, it's important to remember that the perceived ease and impact of each option may be subjective and may vary based on individual perspectives and experiences. This can also  be tied to a company's culture. High Type-A's will consider things easier to implement than they make actually be. Additionally those at the top of the corporate chain often don't know exactly what it takes to implement an initiative. Using this tool to discuss where you think things are, where those involved in executing the initiative(s), and where the stakeholders (bosses) think things land is an important way to take the subjectivity out of it and to come to a common understanding.