The Impact/Ease grid is a four-box model (a 2×2 positioning chart) for plotting solutions (or ideas or strategies) to reflect the impact of taking them forward vs the ease of taking them forward. Clearly the ideal solutions would be those with high impact and high ease.
As with most such tools, its power lies in stimulating debate and insight, rather than as an absolute arbiter of the correct decision. It generates discussion around the positioning the various solutions on the grid – addressing assumptions and considering implications – thereby generating greater insight into each solution and how it might be taken forward.
The candidate solutions (or ideas or strategies) can be reviewed one at a time and placed on the grid by discussion. Later candidates can be positioned by reference to those already placed. This comparison can often result in repositioning the earlier candidates, but this is a natural and normal recalibration.
People can be invited to add their own candidates to the grid, and to achieve a draft positioning on the two axes, which can then be refined by debate.
The following link provides a bit more information on the tool
– Kilbride Consulting (as a 9 box model, but the principle is the same)
Clicking the instant template below will open up as a live interactive tool in your browser. Simply copy its URL from the address bar on the page that opens and share it through your meeting chat with your team. They will instantly be able to participate with you by: adding their thoughts via sticky notes; seeing all that’s going on, and moving things around. For more on instant templates, click here.
Track your progress to ensure the efficacy of this strategy.