4 quadrants of time management

 4 quadrants 

Most managers start their days with to-do lists that keep them busy throughout the day 

creating the illusion that everything is important. When we approach activities in this way, 

we sometimes lose focus on the things that matter most, hence the reason why we need to 

learn to prioritise. 

Time matrix

The time matrix is a tool with 4 quadrants that you can use to help you prioritise tasks. It 

was developed by influential management thinker Stephen Covey. You use each quadrant to 

organise the tasks you need to do into an order of priority. 

Quadrant 1 contains the important and urgent activities. Covey refers to this as the quadrant 

of necessity. In this quadrant, you should put any activities that first are important, and then

need to be taken care of immediately. These are urgent and necessary activities such as a 

project with an immediate deadline, or a crisis. These activities cannot wait.

Quadrant 2 also called the quadrant of effectiveness contains the important but not urgent

activities. This quadrant is typically for tasks and issues centered on planning and 

preparation, including longer-term strategy, learning, training those who work with you and 

building relationships with clients and staff. These activities are critical to the 

organisation/team, but are not immediately urgent. Stay tune.....