User Guide
Priority Matrix
The Priority Matrix is a scatter plot that positions each Jira issue on two scoring axes, providing a visual quadrant-based view for prioritisation decisions.
Opening the Priority Matrix
Backlog Prioritization → Backlog Table → click the Matrix view button (top-right toolbar)
Reading the Matrix
Each dot on the scatter plot represents one Jira issue. The position is determined by the two selected scoring metrics:
| Quadrant | Position | Label | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-right | High X, High Y | Quick Wins or Big Bets | Prioritise first |
| Top-left | Low X, High Y | Big Bets or Fill-ins | Evaluate effort vs. value |
| Bottom-right | High X, Low Y | Fill-ins | Schedule if capacity allows |
| Bottom-left | Low X, Low Y | Avoid | Deprioritise or remove from backlog |
Quadrant labels depend on which metrics you assign to each axis.
Hovering and Inspecting Issues
- Hover over any dot to see a tooltip with issue key, title, and metric values
- Click a dot to open a detail panel with the full issue score breakdown
Customising the Axes
- Click Matrix Settings (gear icon in the top-right of the matrix)
- Set X Axis - choose any numeric metric from the active scoring template
- Set Y Axis - choose a different metric
- Click Apply
Common Axis Combinations:
| X Axis | Y Axis | Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Value | Classic value vs. effort quadrant |
| Confidence | Impact | Identify high-impact, high-confidence bets |
| Job Size | Business Value | WSJF visual breakdown |
Adjusting Quadrant Boundaries
- The quadrant divider lines are draggable
- Drag the vertical line left or right to change the X-axis threshold
- Drag the horizontal line up or down to change the Y-axis threshold
- Repositioning boundaries lets you tailor the quadrant split to your team's scoring scale
Filtering in Matrix View
All filters applied in the Backlog Table carry over to the Matrix view. You can also add filters directly in Matrix view using the filter bar.
Returning to Table View
Click the Table view button (top-right toolbar) to return to the tabular Backlog Table.
Tips
- Use the Priority Matrix alongside the table - patterns visible in the scatter plot (clusters, outliers) are often invisible in a sorted list
- Reposition quadrant lines to match your team's actual scoring distribution rather than the default 50/50 split
- Save a matrix view configuration via Save View for reuse in recurring prioritisation sessions