Guide · C19
Define prioritisation criteria
Which criteria should be used to rank the initiatives?
Direct answer
Criteria must be defined, measurable, non-redundant, weighted and sensitivity-tested before any decision.
01Choose a trade-off rule that is understood and defensible.
02The rule, the evidence and the next review date stay visible.
How to use this
Move from the question to the deliverable.
Which criteria should be used to rank the initiatives?
Choose a trade-off rule that is understood and defensible.
Weighted grid
Decision grid · SQ-05
Prioritise four initiatives with an explicit weighting
The grid separates contribution, evidence, capacity, speed, reversibility and risk control. Sensitivity is tested before the decision.
Illustrative case: a portfolio of four initiatives for a B2B pipeline objective.
- 01Normalise
Describe every initiative at the same level of cost, workload, horizon and evidence.
- 02Weight
Fix the weights before scoring the options, to limit preference bias.
- 03Calculate
Multiply each score from 1 to 5 by its weight, then add them up.
- 04Test
Change the two most sensitive weights and observe the changes in rank.
Weighted matrix and sensitivity test
Weights used: contribution 35%, evidence 20%, capacity 15%, speed 15%, reversibility 10%, risk control 5%.
Score = Σ (criterion rating from 1 to 5 × criterion weight)| Initiative | Contribution | Evidence | Capacity | Speed | Reversibility | Score / 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A · Enterprise webinar | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3.30 |
| B · High-intent search | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.90 |
| C · Partner kit | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3.10 |
| D · Existing-content redesign | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3.65 |
01B comes first thanks to speed and level of evidence.
02D overtakes B if the weight of capacity exceeds 30%: the order is therefore not robust to a strong team constraint.
03C deserves a limited test rather than full funding, because its estimated contribution rests on weak evidence.
Illustrative scores. A regulatory or contractual obligation must be separated from the discretionary ranking.
Coherence controls
Minimum conditions before validation.
The status, the evidence and the owner must be available for review.
The status, the evidence and the owner must be available for review.
The status, the evidence and the owner must be available for review.
The status, the evidence and the owner must be available for review.
Usable deliverable
Weighted grid
Explore the decision further with an interactive control, or start from a structured template to produce your deliverable.