📊 Value-Effort Matrix
Prioritization tool for the WANT phase
VALUE (High → Low)
EFFORT (Low → High)
High Value
Low Value
Low Effort
High Effort
🚀
DO NOW
High Value
Low Effort
Quick Wins
📅
DO NEXT
High Value
High Effort
Strategic Projects
⏰
DO LATER
Low Value
Low Effort
Fill-ins
🚫
DON'T DO
Low Value
High Effort
Time Wasters
🎯 How to Use This Tool
- In WANT Phase: After defining criteria, plot potential solutions or action items
- Estimate Value: How much does this advance our objective? (qualitative or scored)
- Estimate Effort: Time, resources, complexity required
- Placement: Use sticky notes or digital tools to place items in quadrants
- Decide: Focus on "Do Now" first; schedule "Do Next"; defer/delegate "Do Later"; eliminate "Don't Do"
💡 Tips
- Use relative scoring (1-5 or Low/Med/High) for speed
- Invite dissent: "What if we're wrong about the value?"
- Time-box this exercise: 10-15 minutes maximum
- Don't over-analyze—this is a rough prioritization tool
Heartful Note: Notice which items trigger defensiveness or attachment. Those merit a micro-pause and curiosity: "What am I protecting?"