Start from the time box
Write the available minutes before sorting tasks. This prevents optional work from quietly taking the space needed for assignments that must be submitted.
The output is most useful when minute estimates are honest. If a task might take 20 to 40 minutes, use the larger number or split it into a first step and a follow-up step.
- Due work should be protected first.
- Practice work belongs after required submissions unless a quiz is immediate.
- Optional work should be easy to cut.
- Blocked work needs a question, material, or instruction before it becomes real work.