Mastering Productivity with the Eisenhower Box
A product manager needs to handle varied range of tasks effectively and make the best use of time for prioritization.
One of the most useful and powerful framework for it can be Eisenhower Box derived from practice of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President.
He launched programs that led to the development of the Highway System in the United States, and the launch of the internet (DARPA), and the exploration of space (NASA). Before becoming president, Eisenhower was a five-star general in Army, served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. Along the way, he somehow found time to pursue hobbies like golfing and oil painting. Eisenhower had an incredible ability to sustain his productivity not just for weeks or months, but for decades.
His famous productivity strategy is known as the Eisenhower Box (or Eisenhower Matrix) and it’s a simple decision-making tool that you can use right now. The strategy involves categorizing tasks into four possibilities based on their urgency and importance:
Urgent vs. Important
The key to this method is distinguishing between tasks that are “urgent” and those that are “important.” Urgent tasks need your immediate attention, while important tasks contribute to your long-term goals and mission.
Now, let’s put this into action:
1. Urgent and Important (Do Immediately): These are your top priorities. They’re the tasks that can’t wait and directly impact your product or team. Examples might include a critical security vulnerability has been identified in the app, putting user data at risk. Immediate action is required to patch this vulnerability.
2. Important, but Not Urgent (Schedule for Later): These tasks are crucial for your product’s success but aren’t pressing right now. You should schedule them and make sure you get to them in the near future. This could involve tasks like user interviews to gather feedback on the app’s current features and identify areas for improvement.
3. Urgent, but Not Important (Delegate): Sometimes, tasks are urgent but not directly related to your role as a product manager. These can be delegated to others on your team or in your organization. It might include routine support tickets or administrative tasks. While customer support is important, routine queries that can be handled by support staff should not consume the product manager’s time.
4. Neither Urgent nor Important (Eliminate): Finally, there are tasks that neither demand immediate attention nor significantly contribute to your goals. These are the tasks you can eliminate from your to-do list. Think of them as distractions. Can include routine administrative tasks such as organizing files or cleaning up your email inbox.
By consistently using the Eisenhower Box, you’ll make better decisions about how to spend your time as a new product manager. It helps you focus on what truly matters for your product’s success and eliminates unnecessary distractions. Remember, your ultimate goal is to move closer to your mission and values.
While the Eisenhower Box isn’t a magic solution, it’s a valuable tool for product managers to boost productivity and make effective choices in managing their tasks.
