Nielsen Norman Group

Evidence-Based User Experience Research, Training, and Consulting

Using Prioritization Matrices to Inform UX

Decisions
by Sarah Gibbons on May 27, 2018
Topics: Design Process Strategy Ideation

Summary: Visuals such as charts and matrices can help practitioners base important
decisions on objective, relevant criteria instead of subjective opinions.

As UX practitioners, we are often caught in a balancing act: usability improvements, tasks to be

done, design ideas, personas, resources — the list goes on. The reality is that not everything can
be done at once. Making an informed decision on what to prioritize can be daunting.

A prioritization matrix serves to identify the most important problems. This structured, objective
approach helps achieve collaborative consensus while satisfying the varied needs of the user and
business.

Definition: A prioritization matrix is a 2D-visual that shows the relative importance of a set of items
based on two weighted criteria..