# How-Wow-Now Matrix

Purpose
Evaluation according to feasibility and innovation
Time required
10 to 40 minutes
Participants
UX team, user
Level of experience
Beginner

# Summary

This method helps to evaluate ideas collected in advance according to their feasibility and originality. The method can be used both for your own evaluation process and democratically in a team.

# Result

The aim of this method is to evaluate the collected ideas in a structured way and to determine how to proceed with them.

# Approach

  1. Draw a 2x2 matrix as shown in the figure. The Y-axis refers to the originality, while the X-axis represents the feasibility.
  2. Mark the squares as Now, How and Wow.
  3. If the method is used by the whole team, vote democratically and assign the available ideas to the individual squares.
  4. Look at or discuss the result in the team. "Now" ideas should be implemented directly or kept as a reserve. "How" ideas should be further elaborated in order to find a way to implement them. "Wow" ideas should be tackled immediately and the necessary steps should be discussed. Ideas that do not fit into one of these three squares can be discarded.

# Time of use

This method is suitable at the end of the ideate phase. It is used when there is a large pool of ideas to be structured and preselected. During the implementation, existing ideas can also be combined or summarized in the discussion.

# Tools and Templates

  • Flipchart
  • Markers
  • Large stickers

# Advantages

This method offers good criteria for the pre-selection and classification of ideas into different evaluation groups.

# Disadvantages

If the method is carried out in a team, different ratings can lead to long discussions. Participants may tend to defend their own ideas. A moderator is helpful here.

# Hints

An evaluation of feasibility and originality is never completely objective, but it does not have to be. The specific conditions of the project should be taken into account.

# Sources