Cost vs Impact Matrix
See Where Each Initiative Lands Based on What It Delivers and What Is Required
Step 2 of the Project Prioritization Process
D Deepen
A Attain
R Retain
T Table Stakes
Access all three tools in the Project Prioritization Toolkit: https://www.leadership-tools.com/how-to-prioritize-work-projects.html
Tip: Complete the D.A.R.T. Analysis Worksheet first. Every initiative you plot here carries its reference number from that worksheet.
How to Use This Matrix
The second of three tools in the Project Prioritization Toolkit. It turns a list of initiatives into a picture of where your effort should go.
THREE STEPS
1
Start with the D.A.R.T. worksheet
Every bubble on this matrix comes from a reference number there. That worksheet also works out the quadrant, so plotting is mostly transferring a decision you already made.
2
Copy a bubble, then place it
The four bubbles at the top right carry the D.A.R.T. category colors. Copy one, drop it in the cell matching its Impact and Cost, and type the reference number inside it.
3
Read the picture, then move
Aim for two or three quick wins and start those this month. Everything else can be prioritized according to budget or level of importance.
THE FOUR ZONES, POSITIONED AS THEY APPEAR ON THE MATRIX
STRATEGIC BETS
High Impact · High Cost
Worth doing, but they consume real money and real people. Pick them deliberately.
QUICK WINS
High Impact · Low Cost
Start here. Two or three of these build the momentum that carries the harder work.
PASS FOR NOW
Low Impact · High Cost
Expensive and not moving much. These deserve an honest conversation before anyone starts.
DELEGATE OR DEFER
Low Impact · Low Cost
Cheap enough to hand to someone developing, or to park until the calendar opens up.
Impact rises up the page. Cost falls to the right.
Then what?
Take the initiatives you decided to move on into the Communication Plan Worksheet, and line up who needs to hear about them.
Access all three tools: https://www.leadership-tools.com/how-to-prioritize-work-projects.html
Cost vs Impact Matrix
Copy a bubble, drop it in the matching cell, then add its reference number.
D
Deepen
A
Attain
R
Retain
T
Table Stakes
STRATEGIC BETS
High Impact · High Cost
QUICK WINS
High Impact · Low Cost
PASS FOR NOW
Low Impact · High Cost
DELEGATE OR DEFER
Low Impact · Low Cost
IMPACT
Very High
High
Medium
Low
Very High
High
Medium
Low
COST
Cost vs Impact Matrix · Example
The twelve initiatives from the D.A.R.T. worksheet example, plotted.
D
Deepen
A
Attain
R
Retain
T
Table Stakes
STRATEGIC BETS
High Impact · High Cost
QUICK WINS
High Impact · Low Cost
PASS FOR NOW
Low Impact · High Cost
DELEGATE OR DEFER
Low Impact · Low Cost
IMPACT
Very High
High
Medium
Low
Very High
High
Medium
Low
COST
D1
D2
R1
D3
T2
A1
A2
T1
A3
R2
R3
T3