Choosing the Appropriate Communication Tool: Use the Urgent-Important Matrix

Different communication channels are appropriate for different situations.  Use the Urgent-Important matrix to help you decide which channel is appropriate.

Two definitions:

- Urgent: that which is time sensitive

- Important: that which has a significance or a focus placed on it

Note that things that are not urgent may become urgent, and things that are not important may become important.  Your communication choice will vary based on these changes.

Examples of situations that are suitable for Group Instant Messaging (IM) tools like Glip:

• Share a link about a classroom provocation
• Updates from front office to teachers
• Questions about meeting time/location
• Request a quick meeting with a colleague
• Questions that aren’t emergencies (or don’t need immediate answers)
• Questions for PYP coordinator
• Brainstorming
• Sharing ideas/edits to documents, report cards, planners
• After hours planning
• Across campus check-ins and communications
• Community building
• • • Staying in touch with staff you don’t often see
    • Planning staff get-togethers

Examples of situations that are NOT appropriate for Group IM like Glip:

• External communications
• Messages to parents
• Messages that commit you or the school, in your official capacity at La Scuola, to external parties like vendors, the media, industry groups, etc.
• School-wide official communication regarding policies, formal events, etc.