MARTÍN GILSTRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE

MGS Executive Toolkit Collection · ET-007

Decision support tool

Strategic Prioritisation Matrix

Turn competing initiatives into a defensible sequence of priorities.

Compare initiatives using consistent criteria for impact, urgency, effort and dependencies before allocating resources.

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Editable XLSX file compatible with Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets.

When to use itBefore committing resources or closing a difficult-to-reverse decision.
What to prepareVerifiable evidence, owners, limits and alternatives.
What you will obtainCompare impact, urgency and effort without allowing the loudest request to dominate.

What problem it helps solve

Compare initiatives using consistent criteria for impact, urgency, effort and dependencies before allocating resources.

Questions to answer before deciding

  • Does the initiative support a stated strategic objective?
  • What measurable financial or operational value could it create?
  • How materially would it improve customer outcomes?
  • What happens if the initiative is delayed?
  • What must happen before work can begin?

How the result is interpreted

The 0–100 result is calculated only from confirmed rows. Document completeness is shown separately so that a completed worksheet is not confused with a favourable decision.

What it does not replace

The tool structures a decision. It does not replace financial, legal, tax, technical or human review when specialist verification is required.

User guide

How to use the tool

1

Define the scope

Specify the decision or situation being assessed.

2

Record evidence

Use verifiable data and documents.

3

Score from 1 to 5

Use one consistent and justified scale.

4

Close with accountability

Assign a condition and owner before confirming a row.

Within the framework

Prioritise

This tool forms part of the MGS Strategic Intelligence Framework™ and should be interpreted together with evidence, limits and the review mechanism.

Further reading

  1. Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy. Free Press.
  2. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage. Free Press.
  3. Mintzberg, H. (1994). The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. Free Press.
  4. Kaplan, R. S. y Norton, D. P. (1996). The Balanced Scorecard. Harvard Business School Press.
  5. Christensen, C. M. (1997). The Innovator’s Dilemma. Harvard Business School Press.

Review methodology criteria, scoring and limitations.

Next step

When the tool identifies material exposure

Convert material gaps into a decision question, a verifiable scope and an expected outcome.

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