Business Cases, Options and ScopeResource

Eisenhower Matrix

Prioritising work according to urgency.

The Eisenhower Matrix prioritises work according to urgency and importance. Items are placed into four quadrants to determine what to do immediately, schedule, delegate or remove.

How to use this tool

  1. List the tasks

    List the tasks or decisions.

  2. Define important and urgent

    Agree what “important” and “urgent” mean.

  3. Place items in the quadrants

    Place each item into the four quadrants.

  4. Decide, delegate and review

    Decide what to do, schedule, delegate or stop, then review regularly.

References & further reading

Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.