However, unlike Eisenhower, whose quadrants represent the tasks and their level of urgency and importance, Covey Matrix quadrants represent time. It is also similar to the Eisenhower Matrix.

This Matrix focuses on the allocated time for tasks per quadrant. You can discard them or place them on the back bench until the resources are available. Tasks here have little to no value however, they are time-consuming and require a lot of resources. However, they are harder to pull off and require more resources and planning.Īctivities here do not have much value and are easy to pull off.

Tasks in this quadrant are equally as important or even more than those in the first quadrant. This Matrix is also divided into four quadrants in the following way:Īctivities in this quadrant have the most value and are easy to carry out. It focuses on the value of a task versus how it is hard or easy. It is similar to the Eisenhower Method however, unlike Eisenhower, which has an urgent-important base, Action Priority has an impact-effort concept. The two most effective Eisenhower Matrix alternatives are: Action Priority Matrix These alternatives convey the same message of prioritizing tasks and effective time management however, they are implemented differently. While this tool is innovative and efficient, there are alternatives to creating it. Recall, if it did add to something, maybe you could break it up and add the important part to the top quadrants.The Eisenhower Method is a prioritization and time management tool characterized by placing tasks in quadrants based on their urgency and importance. While this may make you feel good to get these done, ultimately, they may not add to much. Even when your top quadrants are cleared, perhaps you should take a break, rather than working on the bottom left. These are things you should explicitly avoid to do whenever possible. Quadrant 3: Not Critical (bottom left)Įverything that you could delegate, or if you feel are burdens rather than value-adding, should go here.

So if you are working on a 10,000 feet project, the top right quadrant could represent tasks that are more than 3 months out. With Priority Matrix the app, you can create your project definition in a such a way that the timeline is inherited from the project definition. The criteria for consideration of what’s “far out” varies depending on your overall project scope. The important things you have to work on, but the due date is farther out. Quadrant 2: Critical, but not Due Soon (top right) The criteria in putting it here should be the value-adding tasks that drive your business and/or your life. Each day, each hour, each minute of your work should be focused on tackling issues within this quadrant. The most important things that you have to work on, especially if it’s due soon. Here’s a recap of the kind of tasks you put in each quadrant: Quadrant 1: Critical and Due Soon (top left) The 4 Quadrant Method in Detail: What are the four quadrants? In traditional linear lists, you will overburden yourself, but if you write everything down in a 4 quadrant approach, you never have to worry because your attention is, and should always be, focused on the upper left. You should never be hesitant to write down to your to dos. See also Pomodoro technique: a structured way to increase productivity

Quadrant in the Priority Matrix