

According to the model, you can judge any task by two criteria: importance and urgency.ġ. The Eisenhower Priority Matrix is based on four time management quadrants developed by author Stephen Covey. Below, we’ll go into an in-depth explanation for each. Though we’ll soon see they’re similar in structure, each uses different criteria for prioritization. Two of the most popular priority matrices are: You can prioritize items based on any criteria., but the easiest way to start is by implementing a proven format. We’ll cover it more in-depth in the next section when we discuss two popular matrices and how they work.Ī priority matrix is a flexible tool.
#Urgency priority matrix how to#
Don’t worry if you don’t completely get how to do this right now. Map each task into the upper or lower half of the grid on either the right or left half. Once you’ve prioritized and ranked your items, it’s time to plot them into your matrix.
#Urgency priority matrix free#
Helpful hint: if you use a free to-do list template (shown above), you can easily add a new ‘urgency’ column and set each task as either urgent or non-urgent so you have all the crucial information in one place. For instance, if one of your metrics is urgency, you and your team will decide whether each item is urgent or non-urgent.

Now that you have a list of items, rank them based on the criteria and scale you chose. A weekly to-do list template like the one below can help you quickly jot down and track this info. If you’re starting from scratch, pull the team together to create your task list. If you already have a team to-do list or a product backlog, this will only take a few seconds - just pull up your list and make sure it’s up-to-date. The first step is compiling the list of items for prioritization. That’s why we recommend the following 3-step approach: After all, if different team members are ranking tasks in different ways, you could end up with conflicting priorities.
#Urgency priority matrix full#
Though anyone can make prioritization matrices, you won’t get the full value unless you use them as a team. Get started 3 steps to creating a project priority matrix Let’s take a look at how to create this tool. If you and your team don’t prioritize work and focus on what really matters, you could waste tons of time on tasks and activities that “don’t move the needle.”Ī matrix can help you save time, resources, and keep team morale high by focusing on getting maximum results. The Pareto Principle-80% of your project activities will produce 20% of the results-helps explain why many teams benefit from a priority matrix. Why using a priority chart will increase project efficiency and success
