An impact analysis can be used for many different reasons.  You might have brainstormed ideas to develop methods to improve service to customers, redesign work flow,  or new programs to offer.  Now that you have the list, you need to determine where to start…which ideas are the viable ones.  You can do that by using this Impact Analysis.

For each idea you listed, determine its impact using this Impact Analysis.  First, determine its degree of difficulty.  Is it quick and easy to do, or is it difficult and will take some time and energy?  Next, determine its impact.  Will it have significant impact on the team or customers, or will it have little impact.  Plot accordingly. 

Once you have completed this for each idea you will plainly see the ideas with which to begin (easy to do, high impact – Quadrant I).  Prioritize each idea so you know where you are going to start.  Start with some “quick hits”…the super easy ones to get the momentum going.  Eliminate Quadrant IV ideas.  They don’t have much impact and are hard to do.  Make sure each has an “owner” assigned and a due date and hold the owners accountable.

To view the Impact Analysis Diagram and a printable version of this document, please click here.