Glossary
Four-Field Matrix
2x2 matrix, four-quadrant matrix
A four-field matrix is a grid of two criteria, each split into "low" and "high". The four resulting fields sort entries such as projects, tasks or risks, and each field stands for a recommended action.
Which criteria form the axes depends on the question. Three common examples:
| Matrix | Axes | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Project prioritization | Value and effort | Selecting projects |
| Eisenhower matrix | Importance and urgency | Prioritizing tasks |
| BCG matrix | Relative market share and market growth | Managing a product portfolio |
In project prioritization, projects with high value and low effort start first; projects with high value and high effort need thorough planning; projects with low value and high effort are candidates for cancellation. The terms stars, cash cows, question marks and poor dogs, on the other hand, belong to the BCG matrix and describe products, not projects. Other four-field matrices are the SWOT analysis and the Ansoff matrix.
How-to and examples: The guide Four-Field Matrix: 7 Examples and How to Prioritize shows how to build a four-field matrix in four steps, with a worked example and seven matrices compared.
