If you are looking for a quick visual way to represent the potential work involved in setting out new ideas, strategies or projects then look no further than the Impact Effort Matrix.

As with most models, the idea is compellingly simple  and this forms an excellent tool to use when facing multiple options for solutions to a specific issue. By visually  dividing the space into four quadrants, or a 2x2 grid if you prefer, the method helps us to see how projects stack up.

By running high to low impact down one axis, and time or effort to implement down the other, you can map your solutions into the four quadrants and ultimately find the most likely candidate to opt for.

Often used as a way of determining the return on investment in a straightforward and efficient way, this milder part of the wider Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is certainly a handy tool. However, getting potential solutions added into the correct quadrant requires honest debate among team members, as well as accurate data on the potential benefits of each specific solution under consideration, if it is to fulfill its role.

Companies such as ADIS Tachov s.r.o. don’t rely on such matrices alone, but they do often present answers to the question of which solutions seem easiest to achieve with the most effects, something which, in the fast-moving world of the automotive plastics industry can be extremely useful.

Aside from being used to determine which activities should be prioritized, the wider use includes using them for in-project activities themselves if they veer off course, lose focus or fail to achieve results. Using the matrix can help teams choose solutions that get projects back on track and therefore realign objectives to deliverables.

As injectionmolding specialists, having an arsenal of tools such as the Impact Effort Matrix doesn’t replace other more complex assessments tools from the sigsixma catalog ADIS utilizes, but they do assist in enabling the delivery of ‘quality with integrity' to every customer as per their enshrined motto