Project Prioritization Template
A Framework for Deciding What to Work on First
D.A.R.T. Analysis · Cost vs Impact · Quick Wins · Communication Strategy
D.A.R.T. Analysis
Cost vs Impact
Quick Wins
Communication Strategy
Tip: Use this template after completing your Growth Inventory. Each initiative from your Growth Roadmap can be evaluated and prioritized using the tools in this template.
Project Prioritization Overview
A five-step process for evaluating initiatives and deciding where to focus first.
1. D.A.R.T. Analysis
Categorize each initiative by business purpose: Deepen, Attain, Retain, or Table Stakes. This forces clarity on why each initiative matters before comparing them.
What you need:
2. Cost vs Impact
Plot each initiative on a two-axis grid comparing potential impact against the effort required. Four zones emerge: Quick Wins, Strategic Bets, Low Priority, and items to question.
What you need:
4. Assign Leaders
Each active initiative needs a clearly identified owner. Assign a leader(s) responsible for organizing the work, coordinating with others, and keeping progress moving.
What you need:
3. Quick Wins
Identify the high-impact, low-cost initiatives. Act on these first to build momentum and demonstrate early progress.
What you need:
5. Communication
Identify the key stakeholders connected to your work. Set recurring check-ins at the right frequency to keep everyone aligned and prevent duplication of effort.
What you need:
How to Use This Template
1
Complete Your Growth Inventory First
Before using this template, capture all improvement opportunities from your Growth Roadmap. The Growth Inventory gives you the raw material. This template helps you decide what to do with it.
2
Assign D.A.R.T. Labels
Review each initiative and assign one of four labels: Deepen (existing relationships), Attain (new business), Retain (current customers), or Table Stakes (competitive necessity). Then number each one: D1, D2, A1, A2, etc.
3
Plot on the Cost vs Impact Matrix
Use your D.A.R.T. - numbered initiatives to populate the matrix. Place each one in the quadrant that best reflects its expected impact and the effort required to execute it.
4
Identify Your Quick Wins
Focus on the upper-right quadrant. These are your highest-impact, lowest-cost initiatives. Aim for two or three you can act on immediately to build early momentum.
5
Assign Initiative Leaders
Each active initiative needs a clearly identified owner. Assign a leader responsible for organizing the work, coordinating with others, and keeping progress moving. This builds capability and accountability.
6
Set Up Your Communication Strategy
Map the stakeholders connected to your initiatives. Set brief, recurring check-ins at appropriate frequencies. Keep the right people informed so priorities stay aligned and effort isn't duplicated.
Project or Initiative · D.A.R.T. Assignments
Assign each project or initiative to one of four D.A.R.T. categories, then number them for easy reference: D1, D2, A1, A2, R1, T1, etc.
D
Deepen Relationships
Will this initiative strengthen relationships with existing customers? Initiatives here improve loyalty, trust, and the depth of existing connections.
Examples:
D initiatives:
D1:
D2:
D3:
D4:
D5:
D6:
D7:
D8:
D9:
D10:
A
Attain New Business
Will this initiative help attract new customers or open new opportunities? These are growth-oriented initiatives focused on building the business.
Examples:
R
Retain Customers
Will this initiative improve the experience of existing customers and help ensure they continue doing business with you?
Examples:
T
Table Stakes
Is this something the organization must have in place simply to operate effectively and remain competitive? Not always exciting but key to the business.
Examples:
A initiatives:
A1:
A2:
A3:
A4:
A5:
A6:
A7:
A8:
A9:
A10:
R initiatives:
R1:
R2:
R3:
R4:
R5:
R6:
R7:
R8:
R9:
R10:
T initiatives:
T1:
T2:
T3:
T4:
T5:
T6:
T7:
T8:
T9:
T10:
Plot D.A.R.T. Initiatives · Cost vs Impact Matrix
Plot each D.A.R.T.-numbered initiative on the matrix. High impact + low cost = your immediate priorities to build momentum.
STRATEGIC BETS
High Impact · High Cost
⭐ QUICK WINS
High Impact · Low Cost
LOW PRIORITY
Low Impact · High Cost
DELEGATE / DEFER
Low Impact · Low Cost
IMPACT
Very High
High
Medium
Low
COST
High Cost
Low Cost
A1
A4
D1
A2
R2
D2
D5
D3
T3
T2
R4
Prioritize Quick Wins
Document your top Quick Win initiatives here. These are high-impact, low-cost items that can be completed quickly to build early momentum.
Aim for 2-3 Quick Wins to act on immediately. The momentum they create carries into the larger initiatives that follow.
⭐
Quick Win 1
Initiative Name:
Expected Impact
Estimated Effort
Initiative Leader(s):
Target Start Date
⭐
Quick Win 2
⭐
Quick Win 3
D.A.R.T. Category:
Explain the value of this initiative
Explain the expected cost and resources required.
Target End Date
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Initiative Name:
Expected Impact
Estimated Effort
Initiative Leader(s):
Target Start Date
D.A.R.T. Category:
Explain the value of this initiative
Explain the expected cost and resources required.
Target End Date
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Initiative Name:
Expected Impact
Estimated Effort
Initiative Leader(s):
Target Start Date
D.A.R.T. Category:
Explain the value of this initiative
Explain the expected cost and resources required.
Target End Date
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Assigned Co-Leader Name
Project or Initiative Status | Tracking & Reporting
Assign leader(s) to each active initiative. Co-leading promotes collaboration. Leader(s) are responsible for organizing the work and providing status updates to the team and senior leadership.
Initiative
D.A.R.T.
Priority Tier
Initiative Leader
Target Start
Status
Notes
Project or Initiative Name
D
Quick Win
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
Not Started
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
A
Quick Win
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
On Time
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
R
Quick Win
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
Not Started
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
T
Strategic Bet
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
Delayed
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
D
Strategic Bet
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
On Time
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
A
Strategic Bet
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
Not Started
Enter Notes here.
Project or Initiative Name
R
Defer
Co-Leader Name�Co-Leader Name
6-25-2027
Completed
Enter Notes here.
Priority Tiers:
Quick Win
Strategic Bet
Defer
Status:
Not Started
On Time
Delayed
Completed
Communication Strategy
Schedule your key stakeholder meetings and agree on a day/time and frequency that keeps everyone informed without creating unnecessary meetings.
Identify the key people connected to or potentially impacted by your initiatives. Reach out and suggest a short recurring check-in. When there is nothing meaningful to report, offer to cancel ahead of time to be respectful of their time. Add other meetings with key partners that not initiated by you for a more complete list.
Stakeholder Name
Role / Department
Key Consideration
Frequency
Day / Time
Owner
Location
Stakeholder Name
Director, Technology
Infrastructure/Connectivity
Quarterly
3rd Tue: 1:00pm
Name
Admin 423
Stakeholder Name
VP, Operations
Operational Procedures/Audit
Monthly
3rd Tue: 1:00pm
Name
Zoom
Frequency options: Daily · Weekly · Bi-Weekly · Monthly · Quarterly · As Needed
Stakeholder Name
VP, Risk & Security
Fraud Prevention
Monthly
3rd Tue: 1:00pm
Name
My Office
Stakeholder Name
VP, Marketing
Outreach & Brand Adherence
Bi-Weekly
3rd Tue: 1:00pm
Name
Admin 350
Project Prioritization Summary
Use this summary to communicate your prioritized initiatives to your team or senior leadership at-a-glance.
Quick Wins
Act on now: high impact, low cost
1
Initiative name
Outcome
Strategic Bets
Plan carefully: high impact, high cost
Deferred
Backlog: revisit quarterly
Leader(s)
Target Date
2
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
3
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
4
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
5
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
1
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
2
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
3
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
4
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
5
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
1
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
2
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
3
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
4
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
5
Initiative name
Outcome
Leader(s)
Target Date
What comes next?
Build Your Action Plan
Turn your top priorities into a Master Action Plan (M.A.P.) with clear owners, timelines, and milestones for each initiative. The M.A.P. is available as a free tool at Leadership-Tools.com.
Track Execution
Use an Initiative Tracker to maintain visibility across all active initiatives. Know where things stand at a glance. Consistent tracking is what keeps priorities from drifting back to reactive management.
Develop Your Leaders
Assign initiative leaders and use each initiative as a leadership development opportunity for capable team members. People who lead real work develop real capability.
Stay Aligned
Use your Communication Strategy to keep key stakeholders informed. Revisit priorities quarterly to keep the roadmap current. When conditions change, adjust the list before the team loses direction.
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