Impact–Effort matrix
Prioritise tasks on the Impact vs Effort grid — spot quick wins, plan major projects, and skip thankless work. Add tasks, drag between quadrants, then export PNG, PDF or text.
Open Impact–Effort matrix →What is the Impact-Effort matrix?
A free prioritisation grid that plots tasks by how much value they deliver against how much work they take. It sorts work into four quadrants — Quick Wins, Major Projects, Fill-ins and Thankless Tasks — so you can do the high-value, low-effort items first. It runs entirely in your browser and saves your matrix on your device.
How to use Impact–Effort matrix
- Name your matrix — Type a title at the top so you can tell this priority exercise apart from others.
- Add your tasks — Click the + button on a quadrant to add a task, then type its name inline. Add as many as you need across the four boxes.
- Place each task — Drag tasks between quadrants — or use the move menu — to position them by impact and effort: Quick Wins (high impact, low effort), Major Projects, Fill-ins and Thankless Tasks.
- Export or share — Use the header actions to copy the matrix as plain text, or download it as a PNG image or a PDF document.
Frequently asked questions
Is my matrix saved if I close the tab?
Yes. Your matrix is stored in your browser on your device, so it is still there when you return. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
What do the four quadrants mean?
Quick Wins are high impact and low effort (do first); Major Projects are high impact but high effort (plan deliberately); Fill-ins are low impact and low effort (do if time); Thankless Tasks are low impact and high effort (avoid or drop).
How do I move a task to another quadrant?
Drag the task card into the quadrant you want, or use its move menu to pick a destination.
In what formats can I export?
You can copy the matrix as plain text, or download it as a PNG image or a PDF document.
How is this different from the PICK chart?
It uses generic productivity quadrant names (Quick Wins, Major Projects, Fill-ins, Thankless Tasks) for everyday prioritising, while the PICK chart uses the Possible / Implement / Challenge / Kill labels from process improvement.
Tips
- Start with the Quick Wins quadrant — these deliver fast, visible returns for the least effort.
- Be honest about effort; tasks that creep up the effort axis often belong in Major Projects and need scheduling.
- Keep task names short so cards stay readable in the exported image.