prioritization-frameworks

Prioritization Frameworks Reference A reference guide to help you select and apply the right prioritization framework for your context. Core Principle Never allow customers to design solutions. Prioritize problems (opportunities) , not features. Opportunity Score (Dan Olsen, The Lean Product Playbook ) The recommended framework for prioritizing customer problems. Survey customers on Importance and Satisfaction for each need (normalize to 0–1 scale). Three related formulas: Current value = Importance × Satisfaction Opportunity Score = Importance × (1 − Satisfaction) Customer value created = Importance × (S2 − S1), where S1 = satisfaction before, S2 = satisfaction after High Importance + low Satisfaction = highest Opportunity Score = best opportunities. Plot on an Importance vs Satisfaction chart — upper-left quadrant is the sweet spot. Prioritizes customer problems, not solutions. ICE Framework Useful for prioritizing initiatives and ideas. Considers not only value but also risk and economic factors. I (Impact) = Opportunity Score × Number of Customers affected C (Confidence) = How confident are we? (1-10). Accounts for risk. E (Ease) = How easy is it to implement? (1-10). Accounts for economic factors. Score = I × C × E. Higher = prioritize first. RICE Framework Splits ICE's Impact into two separate factors. Useful for larger teams that need more granularity. R (Reach) = Number of customers affected I (Impact) = Opportunity Score (value per customer) C (Confidence) = How confident are we? (0-100%) E (Effort) = How much effort to implement? (person-months) Score = (R × I × C) / E 9 Frameworks Overview Framework Best For Key Insight Eisenhower Matrix Personal tasks Urgent vs Important — for individual PM task management Impact vs Effort Tasks/initiatives Simple 2×2 — quick triage, not rigorous for strategic decisions Risk vs Reward Initiatives Like Impact vs Effort but accounts for uncertainty Opportunity Score Customer problems Recommended. Importance × (1 − Satisfaction). Normalize to 0–1. Kano Model Understanding expectations Must-be, Performance, Attractive, Indifferent, Reverse. For understanding, not prioritizing. Weighted Decision Matrix Multi-factor decisions Assign weights to criteria, score each option. Useful for stakeholder buy-in. ICE Ideas/initiatives Impact × Confidence × Ease. Recommended for quick prioritization. RICE Ideas at scale (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort. Adds Reach to ICE. MoSCoW Requirements Must/Should/Could/Won't. Caution: project management origin. Templates Opportunity Score intro (PDF) Importance vs Satisfaction Template — Dan Olsen (Google Slides) ICE Template (Google Sheets) RICE Template (Google Sheets) Further Reading The Product Management Frameworks Compendium + Templates Kano Model: How to Delight Your Customers Without Becoming a Feature Factory Continuous Product Discovery Masterclass (CPDM) (video course)