Prioritisation matrix

The priority matrix exercise is a useful exercise to help you rank your ideas and opportunities.

When you are faced with a list of ideas and opportunities it is useful to have an exercise that helps prioritise those ideas that would have most impact on the audience and easiest to accomplish.

There are many parts that can be added to this exercise depending on time constraints, not all of these need to be done in 1 session.

Each table has flipchart paper, pen and the list of ideas on sticky labels (Appendix – list of suggested ideas but you can amend to your own – print these on sticky labels or ask each group to write on post-it notes).

Matrix consists of two arrows in the shape of a plus sign. The first arrow, pointing up, points to a textbox reading
Prioritisation matrix

Step 1

Each table should draw this large matrix on the flipchart.

Step 2

Place the stickers in turn where you feel they should go in the grid depending on how easy you feel they would be to implement and how useful they would be to patients/public.

Nominate 1 person to take notes on discussions that occur with each sticker – noting any barriers envisaged or reasons not to do it.

Step 3

Add 3 more of your own ideas to the grid using post-it notes (some of the ideas on the labels are quite broad – you could suggest a specific action from one of the above that you feel is more achievable). ​

Put initials by each idea for every person on your table who already does/has done this action. ​(These people could be asked to give a quick summary on how they achieved this at the next session). Or you could ask all participants to initial those already doing and those ideas that they want to do in future.

Step 4

Look at the actions in the lower right hand square and discuss what actions might be taken to move these up towards the Easier to implement half of the grid. Please make notes to write up afterwards – any suggestions of who can help you make these actions easier to achieve? ​

Step 5

After meeting, write up results by making an order of priority from top right corner being easiest to implement and with most impact on patients – these should be the priority recommended actions for KLS staff.​

In the next session they can develop actions on how to implement these.

Appendix

Ideas on supporting patient information

A list of ideas to select from or use your own (see also the list in label format):

  • set up a procedure for answering complex patient information queries from staff
  • get involved in patient information leaflets development and review panel
  • promote the library resources to PALS, patient information officers etc
  • give patients/carers reference access to library
  • support clinicians in provision of patient information
  • support Health Awareness Campaigns eg: Diabetes Week
  • hold a selection of patient information leaflets/books/DVDs
  • promote Mood Boosting Books / Six Book Challenge
  • offer input to Trust website information
  • have input to Trust patient information Strategy
  • offer support to public libraries eg: deal with complex enquiries
  • make your library open to referrals from other sector libraries
  • support Health & Wellbeing of staff
  • find out what your public libraries offer eg: Books on Prescription
  • familiarise library staff with NHS Choices
  • include NHS Choices in library induction for Trust staff
  • offer research support for Information Prescriptions in Trust
  • get involved in Health Information Week
  • include provision of patient information in your Library Strategy
  • stock and promote Books on Prescription
  • set up hospital patients reading groups or book clubs
  • hold dementia reminiscence collections for use on wards
  • promote safe use of internet health information
  • support Trust’s application for the Information Standard
  • target specific outpatient clinics eg: COPD or IBD with signposting information, support groups etc. 
  • run training in search techniques for service users

Download the labels sheet.