Task importance: what it is and what it means

Importance is a strategic assessment anchored to medium- to long-term goals. An activity is important if it contributes directly to a goal for the next 30-90 days; if it does not, it is relevant in the short term but not important. According to Drucker, importance is measured against written goals: anything that is not among the goals tends to be perceived as important only because it is visible.

Distinctive: strategic assessment
Distinctive: written goals
Essential: contributes directly to a goal
Essential: medium- to long-term
Constant: 30-90 days
Constant: is measured against written goals

Glossary

Task importance

A strategic assessment of an activity's contribution to medium- to long-term goals, as distinct from contextual relevance.