Tools for setting priorities

Reduce

At this stage there are lots of options. Reduce to a manageable number. Combine similar options and throw out ones that obviously have no support. Use an Impact/Effort grid. And remember to check everything against your goal.

Discuss

Have everyone involved explain their biases up front. Use the Impact/Effort grid and Criteria screen tools to draw out discussion points. Remember the goal.

Select

Use the Criteria screen, a Balance Sheet, and Weighted voting or Simplified weighted voting to aid in the final selection. And, of course, remember your goal.

Consensus Techniques Matrix

		Consensus Process
		Reduce	Discuss	Select
T E C H N I Q U E	Check the Goal	X	X	X
	List Reduction	X
	Show Your Cards		X
	Impact/Effort Grid	X	X
	Criteria Screen		X	X
	Balance Sheet			X
	Weighted Voting			X

Use this grid as a guide to determine what tools are usable for the different levels of choosing between several options.

• Ranked voting
• Simplified ranked voting
• Criteria screen
• Impact/Effort grid