Priority Matrix Template
Bring agility to your team and identify urgent issues with the priority matrix template. Keep track of any matter and follow-up easily.
About the Priority Matrix Template
The priority matrix template helps you organize tasks and is a space where you can evaluate priorities and share them with your team. Project Managers and operational folks love this template because it visually clarifies how to go about a project or even where to begin. The priority matrix template also helps you to identify issues and urgent matters and align your strategic planning.
What is a priority matrix?
A priority matrix is a tool used to prioritize work categorically and inform decision-making & time management. It’s a useful tool because the simple framework can be applied to all types of work, whether it be business processes, project-based, or operational. Priority matrices start in a simple format but can be customized depending on your needs. Most organizations prioritize by impact (low, medium, high), level of effort, and urgency.
When to use a priority matrix template
A priority matrix is a management tool for people who need a little more than a basic to-do list, and it can be valuable for project management and project prioritization. The 2x2 matrix is designed to help you determine what tasks are critical so you can first focus on the most urgent needs.
A variety of factors might influence the urgency or importance of a task on your list. For example, if you must complete a task that directly affects customer satisfaction, that task is probably of high urgency and priority. However, if you must complete a task that could make your customers happier in the future, that task is probably low urgency but high priority.
How to use the priority matrix template
Go through your list of tasks and sort each one into a quadrant. Here’s how to think about each quadrant:
Quadrant I is for the most urgent, important deadlines.
Quadrant II is for long-term strategizing and development, tasks that are not urgent, but are still important.
Quadrant III is for urgent but not important tasks, is for time-pressured distractions that still must be done immediately.
Quadrant IV is for the kind of tasks that yield little value, if any.
Analyze your daily or weekly activities and assign issues to the appropriate quadrant in the criteria matrix before evaluating where you need to make changes.
Create your own priority matrix
Miro is the perfect tool to create and share your priority matrix. Get started by selecting this prioritization matrix template.
1. Use the Miro template
Open this Miro template to get started! On the board, list the tasks you want your team to accomplish.
2. Think about each task
Ask yourself the following question for each task: What are the consequences of not accomplishing this task?
3. Prioritize tasks
Based on that information, categorize each list item as “high priority” or “low priority.”
4. Assign an urgency to the tasks
Now, further divide the tasks in each category into two sub-categories: “high urgency” and “low urgency.” You should now have four lists.
5. Assign values
Assign values between 1 and 4 to each option, where lower numbers mean the task is a higher priority.
6. Place on the matrix
Sort the options into your matrix. Once completed, share your priorities with the necessary stakeholders.
How do you create a priority matrix?
To create a priority matrix, your first need to create a list of tasks-to-be-done. Once you have this list, you have to start prioritizing tasks based on the importance of the task and the urgency of the task. Once everything is assigned a value, you then place the tasks on the matrix.
How do you use a priority matrix?
A priority matrix is a decision-making tool used to divide tasks into different categories by urgency and importance. Classifying tasks this way is helpful in honing in on your priorities and making sure that you allocate your time in the most efficient manner.
Can I customize a priority matrix template to suit my needs?
You can personalize the priority matrix template to suit your specific criteria, goals, and projects. Double-click on the quadrants to change the color, expand the matrix, or edit its content.
Are there different types of prioritization matrix templates?
Yes, the priority matrix templates vary in structure and criteria. Some templates may use a simple four-quadrant matrix, while others may include additional factors such as risk or effort.
Get started with this template right now.
STAR Technique Template
Works best for:
Strategic Planning, Prioritization
Find out how to use the STAR interview method to identify the best candidate for the role. Interviewees can also use the STAR technique to prepare detailed and thorough responses during the interview.
SOAR Analysis Template
Works best for:
Leadership, Decision Making, Strategic Planning
The SOAR Analysis template prompts you to consider your organization’s strengths and potential to create a shared vision of the future. The SOAR Analysis is unique in that it encourages you to focus on the positive rather than solely identifying areas for growth. SOAR stands for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. To use the template, examine each category through a positive lens. Perform a SOAR Analysis whenever you want to bring people together and encourage action.
Gap Analysis Template
Works best for:
Marketing, Strategic Planning, Business Management
Consider your team’s or organization’s ideal state. Now compare it to your current real-world situation. Want to identify the gaps or obstacles that stand between your present and future? Then you’re ready to run a gap analysis. This easy-to-customize template will let your team align on what obstacles are preventing you from hitting your goals sooner, collaborate on a plan to achieve those goals, and push your organization toward growth and development. You can focus on specific gap analyses — including for skills, candidates, software, processes, vendors, data, and more.
Business Model Canvas Template
Works best for:
Leadership, Agile Methodology, Strategic Planning
Your business model: Nothing is more fundamental to who you are, what you create and sell, or ultimately whether or not you succeed. Using nine key building blocks (representing nine core business elements), a BMC gives you a highly usable strategic tool to develop and display your business model. What makes this template great for your team? It’s quick and easy to use, it keeps your value proposition front and center, and it creates a space to inspire ideation.
Product Roadmap Template
Works best for:
Product Management, Roadmaps
Product roadmaps help communicate the vision and progress of what’s coming next for your product. It’s an important asset for aligning teams and valuable stakeholders – including executives, engineering, marketing, customer success, and sales – around your strategy and priorities. Product roadmapping can inform future project management, describe new features and product goals, and spell out the lifecycle of a new product. While product roadmaps are customizable, most contain information about the products you’re building, when you’re building them, and the people involved at each stage.
Working Backwards Template
Works best for:
Desk Research, Strategic Planning, Product Management
Find out how to use the Working Backwards template to plan, structure, and execute the launch of a new product. Using the template, you’ll figure out if the product is worth launching in the first place.