Boost your thinking skills with the automatic Ansoff matrix

If you're a manager trying to put together a persuasive presentation, a teacher struggling to explain difficult concepts, or a researcher attempting to write papers, the 2x2 matrix is a helpful tool for understanding complex ideas. The 2x2 matrix has been instrumental in making numerous important decisions, from Eisenhower's method of prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance to the BCG Growth-Share Matrix, which assists companies in managing their portfolios effectively. Today even when it comes to strategic decisions such as AI governance, governments use a 2×2 matrix to assess AI harm.

Over the years, the 2×2 has found a special place in management education, with wide applications in diverse disciplines, from strategic management and psychology to sociology and even philosophy. While textbooks provide a plethora of 2x2 matrix examples, creating one from scratch is quite a cognitive challenge.

The process requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to distill complex ideas into two primary variables. Often, individuals find themselves bound by textbook examples, unable to venture out and create matrices that cater to unique scenarios or contemporary issues.

To help you out here’s a simple method using ChatGPT. Just use this prompt:

"I want to examine a topic using a 2x2 matrix. The X-axis is labeled ‘[AXIS-NAME]’ (having two values 'low' and 'high') and Y-axis is labeled '[AXIS-NAME]' (having two values 'high' and 'low'). Create a 2x2 Matrix. Name each quadrant uniquely. Do not give an explanation. Give a creative name to each quadrant."

Here is an example of how it works in practice:

Example: I want to examine a topic using a 2x2 matrix. The X-axis is labeled 'narcissism' (having two values 'low' and 'high') and Y-axis is labeled 'talent loss' (having two values 'low' and 'high'). Create a 2x2 Matrix. Name each quadrant uniquely. Do not give an explanation. Give a creative name to each quadrant.

Here’s what ChatGPT created:

Cool, isn’t it?

You can even ask it to define the quadrants for you.

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Till next time!