Merrill Covey Matrix
Merrill Covey Matrix is a structured group exercise for convergent alignment: it helps participants compare options and move toward a shared decision.
How to run it
- Before your meeting, draw a 2×2 matrix on a large white board or poster. Label the axes as followed:
- Distribute pens and plenty of sticky notes to your players; participants will use these to write tasks.
- Allow 5 - 10 minutes for players to write to-do items on the post-its: one per note.
- Have players present their tasks to the group. As a team, collaborate to identify where each to-do item should be placed on the matrix.
- Cell 1 : Urgent, important - these tasks should be at the top of your to-do list
- . Before your meeting, draw a 2×2 matrix on a large white board or poster. Label the axes as followed:
- . Distribute pens and plenty of sticky notes to your players; participants will use these to write tasks.
- . Allow 5 - 10 minutes for players to write to-do items on the post-its: one per note.
- . Have players present their tasks to the group. As a team, collaborate to identify where each to-do item should be placed on the matrix.
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Prompts to use +
Before your meeting, draw a 2×2 matrix on a large white board or poster. Label the axes as followed:
Distribute pens and plenty of sticky notes to your players; participants will use these to write tasks.
Allow 5 - 10 minutes for players to write to-do items on the post-its: one per note.
Have players present their tasks to the group. As a team, collaborate to identify where each to-do item should be placed on the matrix.
Cell 1 : Urgent, important - these tasks should be at the top of your to-do list
. Before your meeting, draw a 2×2 matrix on a large white board or poster. Label the axes as followed:
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Merrill Covey Matrix. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Before your meeting, draw a 2×2 matrix on a large white board or poster. Label the axes as followed:; Distribute pens and plenty of sticky notes to your players; participants will use these to write tasks.; Allow 5 - 10 minutes for players to write to-do items on the post-its: one per note.; Have players present their tasks to the group. As a team, collaborate to identify where each to-do item should be placed on the matrix.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Gamestorming; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Gamestorming.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.