🔲 9-Square (Impact/Effort Matrix)

Category: Decision Making & Prioritization
Primary Creator or Origin: Lean Six Sigma
Typical Users: CI practitioners, facilitators, team leads
Skill Level Required: Intermediate
Time to Use or Create: Medium
Best Used When: Prioritizing based on expected payoff vs difficulty
Primary Purpose: Identify quick wins and strategic projects
Key Outcomes: Focus on high-impact, low-effort improvements
Common Formats or Variations: 3x3 or 2x2 quadrant maps
Software or Templates Required: Excel, whiteboards, templates

Overview / Description:
The 9-Square, also known as an Impact/Effort Matrix, is a grid that categorizes potential actions by their effort and value. It’s ideal for Lean and CI teams trying to decide which ideas to tackle first. “Low effort, high impact” items are prioritized as quick wins.