Time Management

Posted on 12. Nov, 2010 by Appfluence

The Eisenhower Method

 

Wikipedia: All tasks are evaluated using the criteria important/unimportant and urgent/not urgent and put in according quadrants. Tasks in unimportant/not urgent are dropped, tasks in important/urgent are done immediately and personally, tasks in unimportant/urgent are delegated and tasks in important/not urgent get an end date and are done personally. This method is said to have been used by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and is outlined in a quote attributed to him: What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.

Priority Matrix's unique feature lets you do exactly what is said here as you can completely customize your organize method. Furthermore, we make it possible for you to put more emphasis (or screen space) to the more important tasks!

 

Using Priority Matrix with GTD Methodology

  Getting Things Done(1) (GTD) is a methodology prescribed by David Allen for high precision time management. GTD can be broken down into several models. While it is arguable that you need to follow all the methods in GTD in order to be successful, GTD can be far too detailed, time intensive, and fine grained for most personalities. Nevertheless, understanding some of the key principles is important and here is how you can use Priority Matrix with GTD.

The Six-Level Model describes planning in terms of altitude:
    •    50,000+ feet: Life
    •    40,000 feet: Three-to-five year visions
    •    30,000 feet: One-to-two year goals
    •    20,000 feet: Areas of responsibility
    •    10,000 feet: Current projects
    •    Runway: current actions

To use this method, make 6 projects in Priority Matrix, calling each the appropriate altitudes. The second model is the Four-Criteria Model:
    •    Context
    •    Time Available
    •    Energy Available 
    •    Priority

To combine this approach with Priority Matrix, you would name the four quadrants differently. This will be my prescribed approach to using GTD methodology in the four quadrant context. In the top left, you would have “Urgent and Important”, on the top right, you would have “Important & Quick”, on the bottom left, you would have “Important & Easy”, and on the bottom right, you would have, “Collection Bin”.

Priority Matrix Full Feature List


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 Features
Mac
iPad
iPhone
Windows
Unique to PM
Customer Pain Solved

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 4-quadrants
x
x
x
x
yes
help prioritize / distinguish categories

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 Different icons
x
x
x
x
yes
provide context

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 Sort by due date, name, icon
x
x
x
x
yes
organize

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 Sync
x
x
x
x
no
keep data consistent

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 Move items between quadrants
x
x
x
x
yes
re-prioritize

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 Move items between lists
x
x
x
x
no
re-organize

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 Export file
x
x
x
x
maybe
share with someone

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 Import file
x
x
x
x
maybe
accept someone else's share

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 Clone a project with/out items
x
x
x
x
no
re-iterate

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 Help list
x
x
x
x
no
learn quickly

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 Change viewing mode (see completed items, etc)
x
x
x
x
no
focus

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 Email items
x
x
x
x
no
assign

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 Email list
x
x
x
x
no
document or share

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 Double tap to maximize quadrant
x
x
x
x
yes
focus

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 Drag-n-drop to delete / mark as complete
x
x
x
x
no
time-saving

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 Font resize
x
x
 x
no
accessibility, convenience

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 Quadrant resize
x
x
x
x
yes
focus

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 List summary of # of items in each category
x
x
x
x
maybe
comprehensive summary

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 Category / quadrant renames
x
x
x
x
yes
personalize, customize, making it work

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 Category / quadrant color changes
x
x
x
x
yes
personalize, customize, making it work

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 Undelete items
x
x
x
x
maybe
data security

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 Purge finished items
 x
x
x
no
cleaning

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 Overdue item counter
x
x
x
x
no
alerts

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 In-icon visualization of date / completion
x
x
x
x
no
visual indication of importance

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 Mini description below item name
x
x
x
x
no
see more details quickly

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 Screenshot attachments
 x
x
x
yes
convenience for presentations

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 Due date
x
x
x
x
no
item information context

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 Completion percentage
x
x
x
x
no
item information context

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 Send feedback via app
x
x
x
x
no
quickly troubleshoot problems

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 Duplicate items
x
x
x
x
no
convenience

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 Persistent manual ordering of items
x
x
x
x
maybe
re-prioritize

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 Search, and email based on search results
x
x
x
x
no
convenience

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 Color themes
x
 x
yes
personalize, customize, making it work

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 Tap anywhere to add item
x
x
x
x
no
time-saving, usability

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 Print
x
 x
no
export

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 Create default templates
x
x
x
x
maybe
personalize, convenience

 

Priority Matrix in the Recent News/Web

 

"Priority Matrix. The ultimate iPhone and iPad organization app." - The Apple iPad Fan

"Featuring a splendid design, voluminous features and cross-device accessibility, Priority Matrix is definitely worth the $3.99 price tag." - c4universe

In "5 Must Have iPAD Apps For Your Business" - Priority Matrix IT is thoughtful and beauitful time management tool - Lorensworld

"Priority Matrix: If you like Covey's concepts you will love the iPad version of this" - Issaquah Undressed

In "25 Best Business Apps For Your New Apple iPad 2" - WebTabLabs

Judy's recommended apps for Education - Discovery2.0

In "What's the most amazing iPhone app you have heard of?" - 4networking.biz

 

Recent Tweets:

"priority matrix on the ipad is nice ... Based on covey quadrants."