The effort/impact matrix (also known as the impact/effort matrix) is used to help the team to decide which of the numerous solutions to implement appear to be the easiest (least effort) while having the most favorable impact.

Use: When this author was considering the feedback from Six Sigma students, the senior staff members were presented with an effort/impact matrix. The matrix illustrated the relative effort for redesigning the courses as compared to the relative impact that various solutions might provide. The senior staff liked the concept because it made it visual to see where they could get the biggest impact with the least amount of effort. Note that some of the larger impacting solutions with larger impacts were still entertained, but those solutions were put a longer-term implementation plan.

Six Sigma Terminology