The 2x2 Matrix
Four Quadrants:
- Quick Wins (High Value, Low Risk)
- Start here
- Example: Customer service chatbots, content summarization
- Build momentum and learning
- Strategic Bets (High Value, High Risk)
- Pursue after quick wins
- Example: Product innovation, new business models
- Requires careful planning
- Experiments (Low Value, Low Risk)
- Good for learning
- Don't over-invest
- Example: Internal productivity tools
- Avoid (Low Value, High Risk)
- Skip these entirely
- Waste of resources
Axes:
- Value potential (High/Low)
- Implementation risk (High/Low)
Evaluation Criteria
Value Potential:
- Revenue impact
- Cost savings
- Customer satisfaction improvement
- Competitive differentiation
Implementation Risk:
- Technical complexity
- Data availability/quality
- Regulatory concerns
- Organizational readiness
Action Steps
- Map all potential projects on matrix
- Start with 2-3 quick wins
- Build capabilities before tackling strategic bets
- Continuously reassess as capabilities grow