Mastering the Priority Matrix for Smarter Planning

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Whether you attribute the quote to Benjamin Franklin or Taylor Swift, the truth remains the same: strategic planning is the secret weapon of high-performing teams and organizations. In a world overflowing with to-dos, deadlines, and competing priorities, knowing where to focus your time and energy can make all the difference.

That’s where priority matrices come in.

The Eisenhower Decision Matrix: Clarifying Urgency vs. Importance

Eisenhower Decision Matrix

Clarifying Urgency vs. Importance

Ideal for personal productivity and day-to-day decision-making, the Eisenhower Matrix helps you distinguish between what's urgent and what's truly important. It divides tasks into four quadrants:

  • Urgent and Important – Do it now.

  • Important but Not Urgent – Schedule it.

  • Urgent but Not Important – Delegate it.

  • Neither Urgent nor Important – Eliminate it.

Using this tool helps cut through the noise, reduce stress, and refocus on long-term goals instead of just today’s chaos.

Best for: time management, email triage, individual prioritization
✅ Download your free Eisenhower Matrix template

The Action Priority Matrix: Assessing Impact vs. Effort

Action Priority Matrix

Action Priority Matrix

Assessing Impact vs. Effort

For organizational or strategic planning, the Action Priority Matrix is a powerhouse. It maps potential activities or projects across two axes: impact and effort.

  • Quick Wins – High impact, low effort. Do these first!

  • Major Projects – High impact, high effort. Plan carefully.

  • Fill-Ins – Low impact, low effort. Tackle when time allows.

  • Time Wasters – Low impact, high effort. Avoid or rethink.

By visually plotting activities like career fairs, alumni panels, and apprenticeships, you can make data-informed decisions about where to invest your team’s limited time and energy.

Best for: strategic planning, program prioritization, project management.
✅ Download your free Action Priority Matrix template

Takeaways on Prioritization

  • Taking just a little time to plot your tasks before you perform them can lead to stronger outcomes, smarter use of resources, and less burnout along the way.

  • Remember: plans might change—but planning is indispensable.

More from the Nonprofit Leadership Lounge

The Nonprofit Leadership Lounge offers a growing library of mini webinars, practical templates, and resources designed to help nonprofit leaders work smarter, not harder. Topics range from strategic planning and board governance to fundraising and time management. Explore more at Waller Consulting.

🎥 Watch the Webinar!

Want to dive deeper? Check out the 15-minute mini webinar version of this topic through the Nonprofit Leadership Lounge, hosted by Waller Consulting:
▶️ Watch "Plot, Prioritize, Perform" Webinar

StrategyAlyson CulinPriorities, Planning, Productivity