A simple equation that tells you what task you should prioritize next

I've never thought of this way. :D

I love this....this is the best way you could explain prioritisation to someone

This is genius. Of ALL the info I've read on prioritisation, none of it has helped. This smart sum is exactly what I've been looking for. A hundred thank you's. I'll use this immediately.

This this is obviously not an equation but a formula for evaluating relative priority index of a particular task in an overall table of tasks priorities. It can work for some cases, for example when component 1 useful impact and component 2 of negative impact of not doing are equal one other by modulus, and as such in a sum they form zero, and we compare only effort components 3.
But let's analyse a case with (+7 -1 1), i.e. with high positive component 1 (+7), low negative (-1) and low required efforts (1).
Compare this with (0.1 -0.1 1) a small useless effortless task. So, such index suggests to prioritize higher useless effortless tasks over other useful tasks.
So, it becomes clear, that such a formula looks dubious, if not say it suggests useless prioritization estimation method.

This is pretty good!
Also wanted to say the article, 'The Dishwasher Test for "Am I Rich?"' made me laugh.

I'm confused by the scoring method. Why are a|b|c negative and then subtracted in the algo? Why not just have them as positive and just added instead?

Also, how do you quantify the letters in the algo? You can't subtract letters, only numbers, so how do you assign numbers to the algo?

Apart from that, I like the principle.

I started prioritizing lately(based just on my gut feeling and ABCDE method) and I think I see some great results and improvements. To the point, I believe prioritization could be something that can make it or break it for you. Speaking of this, that formula looks like something that can really work to further improve the process, assign some weight, and more precisely quantify your priorities 👍 That was my biggest doubt about how to distinguish between A and B priorities.

As a product manager I must say task prioritization is the key. It helps in productivity of all your company employees and building team. Thank you so much!

I am actually building a tool that let's you prioritise bunch tasks in realtime with a team almost like a scrum poker. Your equation could easily be added as one of the presets.

Follow me on Twitter if you are interested. I am expecting to post something to IH this week.

This is a cool way of looking at task prioritization. I just tried it out and it works with my personal and family tasks but not with work tasks because my company don't want me to prioritize what is actually valuable - they are dumbasses. But thanks for helping me out at home.