Revision as of 11:42, 15 February 2023

Prioritization of actions and obligations is an inseperable part of effective project management. Defining a prioritization framework supports building an impactful project roadmap.^[1] Moreover, prioritizing projects' requirements is needed to provide a clarified direction in order to maximize the value of the project deliverable. ^[2] The Eisenhower matrix, also known under the name of Eisenhower Decision Matrix, Eisenhower Box, or Urgent-Important Matrix is one of task and actions' prioritization methods designed to enhance productivity and time-management efficiency. The tool’s concept was developed by a former president of the United States Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower based the idea on categorizing certain items by taking into account their urgency and importance. ^{[3] [4]}

This article looks further into the Eisenhower Matrix as a Project, Program and Portfolio management method from the perspective of people and their self-management performance. Following chapters discuss historical background of the matrix, next moving to the characterization of the template itself split into 4 specific quadrants. Subsequently, application of the tool both in daily life and in project management cases is presented, followed by examples. Limitations of the matrix are critically discussed, and finally, the article also examines possible effects of merging the Eisenhower Matrix with other used prioritization methods, resulting in enhanced deliverables. ^{[5] [6]} Lastly, drawbacks and limitations of the Eisenhower box are examined, considering the fact of the method’s simplicity.

Historical background

Dwight Eisenhower

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

A person behind a concept of the urgent/important matrix is Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower. He was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. As a president of the United States he led the construction of the Interstate Highway System, created NASA, signed into law the first major piece of civil rights legislation since the end of the Civil War, obtained truce in Korea, welcomed Alaska and Hawaii into the union, and many more accomplishments. His thorough understanding of the difference between the urgent and important enabled him to succeed. In a 1954 speech, Eisenhower quoted Dr J. Roscoe Miller, president of Northwestern University, who said:

“I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” 
      - Dwight D. Eisenhower, speech to the Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches[7]

The quoted “Eisenhower principle” is thought to be the way he managed to organize his priorities and workload.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey popularized Eisenhower’s framework of urgent vs. important in 1989 in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He was a multitalented personality who was recognized for his work as a successful businessman, educator and an influential public speaker. ^[8] Covey's inspirational book is considered to be the psychology handbook of the '90s, the first most influential business book of the twentieth century and one of the top-ten most influential management books ever. ^[9] As a result of Covey’s work, the Eisenhower Matrix has become a widely used time-management and decision-making framework in business. ^[9]

Framework

Quadrant 1

Quadrant 2

Quadrant 3

Quadrant 4

Application of the matrix

Daily life duties' prioritization

Implementation in Project, program and portfolio management

Merging with other prioritization methods

AHP method

The Sun Diagram

Drawbacks and limitations

References

1. ↑ The-Product-Managers-Complete-Guide-to-Prioritization-by-ProductPlan, © ProductPlan 2023.
2. ↑ THE STANDARD FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT, 7th edition 2021.
3. ↑ Master the Moment - Fifty CEOs Teach You the Secrets of Time Management, Pat Brans © 2010 British Informatics Society Limited
4. ↑ https://www.productplan.com/glossary/eisenhower-matrix/, 6th of February 2023
5. ↑ The Sung Diagram: Revitalizing the Eisenhower Matrix", Hannah Bratterud1, Mac Burgess2, Brittany Terese Fasy2(B) , David L. Millman2 , Troy Oster2, and Eunyoung (Christine) Sung2, 2021 LINK:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christine-Sung/publication/343686873_The_Sung_Diagram_Revitalizing_the_Eisenhower_Matrix/links/60066bc392851c13fe1f5aa2/The-Sung-Diagram-Revitalizing-the-Eisenhower-Matrix.pdf
6. ↑ Eisenhower matrix * Saaty AHP = Strong actions prioritization? Theoretical literature and lessons drawn from empirical evidences, Alfred Homère NGANDAM MFONDOUM1*, Mesmin TCHINDJANG2, Jean Valery MEFIRE MFONDOUM3, Isabelle MAKOUET4, 2019 LINK:https://www.iaetsdjaras.org/gallery/3-february-880.pdf
7. ↑ The Eisenhower Matrix Avoid the "Urgency Trap" with Dwight D. Eisenhower's famous prioritization framework, accessed 14 February 2023, https://todoist.com/pl/productivity-methods/eisenhower-matrix#the-eisenhower-matrix-—-urgent-vs-important
8. ↑ The Eisenhower Matrix Avoid the "Urgency Trap" with Dwight D. Eisenhower's famous prioritization framework, accessed 14 February 2023, https://www.famousauthors.org/stephen-r-covey
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, Stephen R. Covey, 1989 https://ati.dae.gov.in/ati12052021_1.pdf