Eisenhower Matrix Template for Excel (Free Download)

When managing a project, being able to determine what needs immediate attention and what can be delegated or even ignored is important. That’s because decisions drive projects and those decisions must be right. Download this free Eisenhower Matrix template for Excel as a time management tool to help with decision-making.

What Is an Eisenhower Matrix Template?

The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the urgent-important Matrix, is a time management tool that helps prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. It was developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who was known for his productivity and effective decision-making.

This framework helps project managers and their teams focus on what truly matters by avoiding busy work and distractions, leading to better productivity and strategic decision-making. But it’s not only a tool for project management. This time management tool can help in personal and professional matters.

ProjectManager's free Eisenhower Matrix template for Excel — *ProjectManager’s free Eisenhower Matrix template for Excel*

Why Use an Eisenhower Matrix Template?

An Eisenhower Matrix helps improve productivity by enabling clear prioritization of tasks. It distinguishes between urgent and important activities to help teams focus on what truly matters. Categorizing tasks reduces the chances of reacting impulsively to non-essential requests to improve organization and proactivity.

It also enhances time management by allocating appropriate resources to each category. Urgent and important tasks are completed first, while important but not urgent tasks are scheduled for later. This method prevents last-minute rushes and promotes strategic planning, leading to better long-term outcomes.

Furthermore, the matrix helps reduce stress and burnout. Identifying tasks that can be delegated or eliminated lightens the workload and avoids unnecessary pressure. This balanced approach enables a healthier work-life balance and increases overall efficiency.

Once the Eisenhower Matrix is finished, use project management software to schedule those tasks. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with robust Gantt charts that schedule tasks, the resources needed to execute them and their associated costs. More than that, it links all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns, filters for the critical path and sets a baseline to track progress in real time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Gantt chart in ProjectManager — ProjectManager’s Gantt charts plan, manage and track tasks in real time. Learn more

Who Should Use This Eisenhower Matrix Template?

The Eisenhower Matrix template benefits anyone looking to improve their productivity and time management. It’s especially useful for professionals in leadership and management roles, such as executives, project managers and team leaders. These roles often involve juggling multiple high-priority tasks, making it crucial to distinguish between urgent demands and strategic activities that drive long-term success.

It’s also valuable for entrepreneurs and small business owners who manage various aspects of their business, from strategic planning to daily operations. By prioritizing tasks effectively, they can focus on growth-oriented activities while delegating routine tasks to their team.

Additionally, students and individuals aiming to enhance personal productivity can benefit from using the Eisenhower Matrix template. It helps them balance academic, professional and personal responsibilities by focusing on high-impact tasks and avoiding distractions. Essentially, anyone looking to make more intentional decisions about their time and energy can leverage this powerful tool.

When to Use This Eisenhower Matrix Template

The Eisenhower Matrix template is best used to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. It’s particularly helpful at the start of a project or workweek when planning and organizing tasks. By categorizing activities based on urgency and importance, you can develop a clear action plan and avoid last-minute stress.

It’s also valuable during periods of high workload or tight deadlines when multiple tasks compete for your attention. The Eisenhower Matrix template helps hone in on critical tasks that contribute to long-term goals while delegating or eliminating less important activities. This reduces overwhelm and increases productivity.

Additionally, use the Eisenhower Matrix template when you find yourself distracted by non-essential tasks or struggling with procrastination. It clarifies what truly matters, enabling you to make intentional choices about your time. Regularly reviewing and updating the matrix keeps you aligned with priorities and goals.

How to Use This Eisenhower Matrix Template

Download the free template and open a fully customizable Excel spreadsheet. Feel free to edit it with a company logo. To use the Eisenhower Matrix template effectively, follow these steps.

List All Your Tasks

Start by writing down all the tasks that must be completed. This includes work-related activities, personal commitments and any other responsibilities. Having a comprehensive list ensures nothing is overlooked.

Categorize Tasks into Four Quadrants

Organize the tasks into the following four quadrants.

Do First (Urgent and Important): Tasks that require immediate attention and have significant consequences if delayed (e.g., deadlines, emergencies).
Schedule (Not Urgent but Important): Long-term goals or strategic activities that require planning but aren’t time-sensitive (e.g., skill development, relationship building).
Delegate (Urgent but Not Important): Tasks that require action but can be handled by others (e.g., routine emails, scheduling meetings).
Eliminate (Not Urgent and Not Important): Distractions or activities that don’t add value (e.g., excessive social media use).

Take Action Based on Prioritization

Do First: Address these tasks immediately to prevent negative consequences.
Schedule: Allocate specific time slots for these activities to ensure steady progress without urgency.
Delegate: Assign these tasks to team members or use tools to automate them.
Eliminate: Minimize or remove these activities from the schedule to free up time for more meaningful work.

Review and Adjust Regularly

Periodically revisit the matrix to ensure it aligns with evolving priorities and goals. Adjust tasks as new responsibilities arise or priorities shift.

Related Free Templates

The Eisenhower Matrix template is only one of over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that can help with every aspect of managing a project across multiple industries. Below are links to a few templates that can help when making decisions about tasks and projects.

Gap Analysis Template

A gap analysis helps gather the information needed to create the tasks that will take an organization from its current state to its desired future state. Use this free gap analysis template for Excel to test the viability of achieving your goals.

Cost Benefit Analysis Template

Use this cost benefit analysis template for Excel to figure out if a project is worth the investment. This free template looks at the cost of executing the project and compares that to the benefits that come from completing it.

Project Budget Template

Once a decision is made about tasks or a project, the budget must be accurately forecasted. Use this free project budget template for Excel to list all the labor, material and other costs to come up with a clear estimate of what funding is needed.

ProjectManager Helps Manage Work Better

An Eisenhower Matrix template is a fine time management tool to prioritize work, but once the planning and execution of those tasks begins, Excel spreadsheets aren’t going to cut it. That’s because they’re static documents and work is dynamic. Do you want to spend time updating templates? And forget about collaboration. These documents aren’t up to the job. To get work done more efficiently requires project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that plans, manages and tracks work in real time.

Manage Resources to Keep Everyone Productive

While Gantt charts can schedule human and nonhuman resources, and kanban boards, task lists or calendar views can give teams the tools to execute that work, managers need to manage resources to keep teams productive. That begins with onboarding, where their availability, pay rate and skill sets, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, can be set to make assigning tasks easier.

The color-coded workload chart shows resource allocation. Managers can see who is overallocated or underutilized and balance the teams’ workload to keep them working at capacity, but not burn out. There’s even a team page to view a daily or weekly summary of the team’s activities, which can be filtered by priority, progress and more.

Monitor Progress, Costs and More in Real Time

Other features help monitor and control project execution. For a high-level project overview, toggle to the real-time project or portfolio dashboards. They collect live data automatically and display it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that show time, cost, workload and more.

For a more in-depth look, use the customizable reports on project status, portfolio status, variance, timesheets, workload and more. All can be filtered to focus on key data points or share a summary of progress with stakeholders to keep them informed. Even our secure timesheets help by tracking labor costs to better manage the budget.

Eisenhower Matrix Template