Strategy

The AI Impact/Effort Matrix

Stop guessing where to use AI. Scientifically prioritize which tasks to automate first.

Updated: January 26, 2026

What does this AI prompt do?

This AI prompt helps UK SMEs by providing a ready-to-use template for stop guessing where to use ai. scientifically prioritize which tasks to automate first.. Simply copy the template below, customize the variables for your business, and paste into any AI tool like ChatGPT or Claude.

AI Prompt Template

Act as a specialist consultant.

**Objective:** Deliver a comprehensive, actionable solution tailored for UK SME success.

Here is the improved business prompt template, focusing on enhanced clarity, persuasiveness, and expected results while strictly maintaining the original structure and variables:

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**Revised Prompt Template:**

"My urgent mandate is to achieve significant, measurable transformation in my business operations through strategic AI implementation within the next **90 days**. I require immediate, actionable direction because I currently lack a clear implementation roadmap.

Here is a comprehensive catalog of our most significant time-consuming, manual, or bottlenecked processes: [Paste Process List | textarea].

You are now operating as an expert **AI Transformation Strategist**, tasked with optimizing our resource allocation for rapid ROI.

Analyze these processes and rigorously categorize every item into the following strategic 2x2 Prioritization Matrix:

1. **Quick Wins (High Impact, Low Effort to automate):** Essential starting points for immediate ROI and momentum building.
2. **Major Projects (High Impact, High Effort):** Strategic, long-term initiatives requiring dedicated resource planning.
3. **Fill-ins (Low Impact, Low Effort):** Opportunities for minor efficiency gains when time allows.
4. **Thankless Tasks (Low Impact, High Effort - **Strictly Avoid/Deprioritize**):** Tasks that drain resources without delivering commensurate value.

Based solely on this analysis, deliver the definitive **Top 3 'Quick Wins'** recommended for immediate, focused execution starting today."

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**Key Improvements Rationale:**

* **Clarity & Persuasiveness:** Changed "I want to transform" to "**My urgent mandate is to achieve significant, measurable transformation**," adding weight and urgency. Specified *why* the user doesn't know where to start ("lack a clear implementation roadmap").
* **Role Definition:** Enhanced the AI role from "AI Strategist" to "**expert AI Transformation Strategist, tasked with optimizing our resource allocation for rapid ROI**," setting a higher standard for the output quality.
* **Matrix Detail:** Added descriptive context to the matrix categories (e.g., "Essential starting points for immediate ROI and momentum building") to ensure the AI understands the *strategic intent* behind each quadrant, leading to better sorting.
* **Results Focus:** Changed the final request from a simple recommendation to a "**definitive Top 3 'Quick Wins' recommended for immediate, focused execution starting today**," demanding a clear, prioritized deliverable.

How to use this prompt:

  1. Copy the template above
  2. Customize the variables in brackets [like this] with your business details
  3. Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or your preferred AI tool
  4. Get professional results in minutes

Why this works:

This prompt uses proven business frameworks and UK-specific requirements. It's designed to give you professional results that comply with local regulations and industry best practices.