How to Use ClickUp for the Eisenhower Matrix

The Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful decision-making framework you can recreate in ClickUp to quickly see what deserves your attention now, what can wait, and what you should delegate or delete. By pairing this simple matrix with flexible views and templates, you can transform a long, chaotic to-do list into a clear, prioritized plan.

This step-by-step guide shows you how to build the matrix inside ClickUp, organize your tasks into four quadrants, and use features like custom fields, views, and automation to manage your priorities with less stress.

What Is the Eisenhower Matrix in ClickUp?

The Eisenhower Matrix, sometimes called the Urgent–Important Matrix, helps you group every task into one of four categories:

• Do First: Urgent and important
• Schedule: Not urgent but important
• Delegate: Urgent but not important
• Delete: Neither urgent nor important

When you build this structure in ClickUp, you get a visual system that turns an endless list of tasks into a clear map. You can see at a glance what to act on now, what to plan for later, and what to remove from your plate entirely.

The original blog post that inspires this guide is available on the ClickUp site here: Eisenhower Matrix guide.

Set Up the Eisenhower Matrix in ClickUp

You can create the matrix in many ways, but a dedicated List or Space in ClickUp gives you the most control. Follow these steps to get started.

Step 1: Create a Workspace Area in ClickUp

1. Create a new Space or use an existing one dedicated to productivity or personal planning.

2. Add a new Folder named something like “Priorities” or “Eisenhower Matrix.”

3. Inside that Folder, create a new List called “Eisenhower Matrix.” This List will hold all tasks you want to prioritize through ClickUp.

Using a dedicated List keeps all of your important decisions in one place, while still allowing you to link or move tasks from other areas of your ClickUp workspace as needed.

Step 2: Build the Four Quadrants in ClickUp

Next, you will translate the four quadrants of the matrix into structure inside ClickUp. You can do this in a few different ways:

• Statuses: Use four custom statuses: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, Delete.
• Custom field (Dropdown): Add a dropdown called “Matrix Quadrant” with the four options.
• Lists or Subtasks: Create separate Lists or subtask groups for each quadrant.

The most flexible method is a dropdown custom field because it lets you keep your existing task statuses (such as To Do, In Progress, Complete) while still assigning a quadrant. To add this in ClickUp:

1. Open the “Eisenhower Matrix” List.

2. Click + Add Custom Field from the List view toolbar.

3. Select Dropdown and name it “Eisenhower Quadrant” or similar.

4. Add four options: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, Delete.

5. Save the field so it appears on all tasks in this List.

Step 3: Create a Visual Matrix View in ClickUp

To mimic the look and feel of a four-quadrant board, use a Board or Table view in ClickUp.

Option A: Board View by Quadrant

1. In the “Eisenhower Matrix” List, click + View and choose Board.

2. Configure columns to group tasks by the dropdown custom field you created.

3. Rename columns to match the four matrix categories.

This turns your ClickUp List into a drag-and-drop matrix where moving a task from one column to another instantly changes its quadrant.

Option B: Table or List View With Filters

1. Create a Table or List view.

2. Show the “Eisenhower Quadrant” custom field as a visible column.

3. Use Filters to show only one quadrant at a time or sort by the quadrant field.

This approach is great if you prefer a spreadsheet-like layout for your ClickUp tasks while still keeping the matrix logic.

Assign Tasks to Quadrants in ClickUp

Once the structure is ready, start feeding your to-dos into the system.

Step 4: Capture Tasks Into Your ClickUp Matrix

• Convert existing tasks from other Lists into the matrix by moving or linking them.

• Create new tasks directly in the “Eisenhower Matrix” List for anything you need to decide on soon.

• Include clear titles and short descriptions so each ClickUp task is easy to evaluate.

You can also forward emails, integrate your calendar, or use docs to generate tasks, then assign each one a quadrant from the custom field.

Step 5: Decide What Is Urgent vs. Important

For every new task, ask two questions:

• Is it important? Does this move you toward a key goal or outcome?
• Is it urgent? Does it require immediate attention or have a near deadline?

Then use the answers to assign the quadrant in ClickUp:

• Do First: High impact and time-sensitive. These belong at the top of your day.
• Schedule: High impact but not time-critical. Add due dates and time blocks on your calendar.
• Delegate: Needs to happen but not necessarily by you. Assign to teammates within ClickUp.
• Delete: Low value and low urgency. Archive, cancel, or remove from your workload.

Because the quadrant is a custom field, you can change it anytime without losing history or comments in ClickUp.

Plan Your Day With ClickUp and the Matrix

With your tasks in the right quadrants, you can now turn the matrix into a daily execution plan inside ClickUp.

Step 6: Prioritize “Do First” Tasks

• Filter your Board or List view to show only “Do First.”

• Sort by Due Date or Priority to see what truly needs to happen today.

• Use Time Estimates to understand how much work is realistic for the day.

Focus most of your active time in ClickUp on completing these “Do First” items before anything else.

Step 7: Schedule Important Work

Next, handle the “Schedule” quadrant:

• Add realistic due dates for each task.

• Use the Calendar or Gantt view in ClickUp to place tasks into specific days or weeks.

• Create recurring tasks for ongoing important actions that are not urgent yet.

This keeps your long-term goals moving forward and stops them from sliding into the urgent category later.

Step 8: Delegate Effectively in ClickUp

For “Delegate” tasks:

• Change the Assignee to the right teammate.

• Use comments to clarify expectations, add files, or share checklists.

• Set watchers or notifications so you are updated on progress when needed.

Because delegations stay inside your ClickUp workspace, you can track outcomes without micromanaging.

Step 9: Delete and Archive Non-Essential Work

Finally, clean up the “Delete” quadrant:

• Archive tasks that are no longer relevant.

• Close or cancel items that do not add meaningful value.

• Periodically review this quadrant to ensure your ClickUp workspace stays clutter-free.

Removing low-value work protects your focus and makes the remaining items easier to manage.

Enhance Your Eisenhower Matrix in ClickUp

Once the basic matrix is running, you can add more advanced features to keep everything aligned with your goals.

Use Templates in ClickUp

Save your setup as a template so you can reuse the same matrix structure:

• Create a List template with your custom fields, views, and basic statuses.

• Apply the template to new teams, departments, or personal Lists in ClickUp.

• Standardize how everyone in your organization thinks about urgent and important tasks.

Automate Routine Actions

You can use automations in ClickUp to reduce manual work, such as:

• Automatically changing priority when a task moves to “Do First.”

• Notifying assignees when they receive a “Delegate” task.

• Moving overdue “Schedule” tasks into the “Do First” quadrant.

Simple automation rules help your Eisenhower Matrix maintain itself while you focus on execution.

Combine ClickUp Dashboards With the Matrix

Dashboards offer high-level visibility across Lists and quadrants:

• Create widgets that show counts of tasks in each quadrant.

• Track completion rates for “Do First” and “Schedule” tasks.

• Monitor workload by quadrant for each team member.

This gives leaders a clear picture of where time and attention are going inside ClickUp.

Next Steps and Additional Resources

By setting up the Eisenhower Matrix in ClickUp, you create a repeatable system for deciding what to work on, what to plan, what to delegate, and what to remove. Your daily decisions become simpler, and your most important goals get the focus they deserve.

For more strategy and implementation help around tools like ClickUp, you can explore consulting resources such as Consultevo, which specialize in workflow optimization and digital productivity.

If you want deeper background on the framework itself, review the original article from the ClickUp team here: Eisenhower Matrix breakdown. Combine that strategic insight with the practical build steps in this guide to turn your workspace into a focused, priority-driven system.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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