Contextual Process 8

Prioritisation & Workload Triage

Overview

Prioritisation & Workload Triage is a process for handling overload, competing demands, or shifting priorities. It uses transparent criteria and shared decision‑making to avoid burnout and confusion.

Purpose

To ensure workload decisions are fair, sustainable, and aligned with organisational goals.

Steps

1. List all current demands
   Make the invisible visible.
2. Apply shared criteria
   Use impact, urgency, and risk to guide decisions.
3. Sequence work collaboratively
   Agree what comes first and why.
4. Communicate trade‑offs
   Make consequences explicit.
5. Review regularly
   Adjust as priorities shift.

Indicators of Good Practice

• Workload feels manageable and fair
• Priorities are transparent
• Teams understand why decisions were made

Common Failure Modes

• Hidden work or unspoken commitments
• Prioritisation based on loudest voices
• Overcommitting without acknowledging trade‑offs

When to Use

• Overload or competing deadlines
• Shifting organisational priorities
• Team uncertainty about what matters most

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