ABC Method of Time Management

A method of time management where daily tasks are prioritised in order of importance, being put into one of three categories, from A the most important to C the least important. Having an indication of the likely time needed to complete the tasks will also help in prioritising within each category as well. It can be considered a variation of the Eisenhower matrix.

Using this technique helps to focus on those tasks that will often have the most impact on work outcomes. The three categories and descriptions are as follows:

A: Primary tasks (must do) that really need to be done first, often having fast approaching deadlines. These are essential tasks that are often time critical.

B: Secondary tasks (should do) that ideally will be carried out without too much of a delay. They aren't urgent tasks, with deadlines not being imminent, but they will need to be done some time, but not completing them should not have a critical effect on the organisational functions. Routinely delaying these secondary tasks can have an accumulative effect which could result in significant negative consequences, so don't just ignore them.

C: Tertiary tasks (nice to do) are either more of wish list, nice to be able do, and also low priority tasks that have little impact on the functioning of an organisation. They can also be tasks to do if some available time is left over from another task that was completed quicker than planned. Over time though some of these tasks would progress to a category B task, so don't totally ignore them.