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Origins of The Time Quadrants System

The document outlines a research assignment to investigate the origins of Stephen Covey's time quadrant system introduced in his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". The assignment will look at who first developed the idea of prioritizing tasks by importance and urgency in a quadrant system, when Covey first started teaching this concept, and why he did not provide specific definitions for "important" and "urgent". It requests volunteers to form two teams of three people each to conduct research using normal methods and potentially contacting Covey directly.

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112 views1 page

Origins of The Time Quadrants System

The document outlines a research assignment to investigate the origins of Stephen Covey's time quadrant system introduced in his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". The assignment will look at who first developed the idea of prioritizing tasks by importance and urgency in a quadrant system, when Covey first started teaching this concept, and why he did not provide specific definitions for "important" and "urgent". It requests volunteers to form two teams of three people each to conduct research using normal methods and potentially contacting Covey directly.

Uploaded by

Timelenders
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Origins of the Time Quadrant System

Research Assignment Title: Origins of the Time Quadrant System

Background: Stephen Covey in his landmark Book ‘The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People’ introduced the concept that all things can prioritized by Importance and
Urgency. He showed the possibilities through the four quadrants of the square and hence
the quadrant system. We have used this model and developed it further by giving
technical definitions of important and urgent and developing further terminologies and
concepts like TRQ1, TRQ2, Internal and external Q1s etc.

In my humble opinion, Covey’s book is not very well referenced so one is left wondering
whether certain ideas are originally his or they have been borrowed. Covey has indicated
clearly that the material of the book came from researching a few decades of success
literature that he undertook as an assignment himself.

I am interested in knowing for sure the true origin of this idea as whether Covey was the
initiator or there are others who should also be credited.

Scope of the Assignment:


1. Who was/were the originators of this idea?
2. If Covey was the originator then when did he start thinking about it/teaching
it?
3. Why did Covey not give technical definitions of the words important and
urgent? Did he think that this was not necessary or trivial? Did he feel that
each person should be allowed to work with his definition?

Team Leads: To be decided after we get volunteers for the project.

Methodology: Along with the normal methods, communicating with Covey directly
might not be a bad idea. I will let you as a team decide.

Publication/conference publication potential: Nill to low.

Team Strength: I will be looking at two teams with 3 people each and a team lead
working independently on this project.

Selection Criteria: Shall allow Team leads to select the teams.

Deadline: July 1st, 2008 (Negotiable)

Wassalam,

Suleman Ahmer

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