Immutable Levels of Priority:
Totally Scientific System of Things Getting Done
20 questions to ask when setting priorities
- Is it actively on fire?
- If I ignore it, will it burst into flames later?
- Is my boss hovering like a caffeinated hawk?
- Is someone pacing because I haven’t finished?
- Does it involve grownup toys?
- Will the project's planner peaceably parley?
- Are roles and ownership clearly defined?
- Does it align with my strengths or goals?
- Can I reassign it to someone else as a “growth opportunity”?
- Can I talk long enough in a meeting that it disappears?
- Can I delegate it?
- Can I delete it?
- Can I deny it?
- If it explodes, can I say, “Huh. That’s odd”?
- If it's supposed to explode, will they notice it didn't?
- Can someone else plausibly be blamed if it isn’t done?
- Will my unemployment claim be denied if I lose my job not doing it?
- Will I enjoy it?
- Is it the slightest bit interesting?
- Do I actually care?
Heavener, M., & Carter, A.L. (2026). Immutable Levels of Priority: Totally Scientific System of Things Getting Done.
See also Framework for Systematic Failure Expectation
See also Grand Unified Theory of Technical Support
© 2026 Michael Heavener