Weighted Scoring

Build custom prioritization frameworks with weights matched to your strategy and values.

Context

You are creating a custom prioritization model. If you have strategic priorities, customer segments, or business metrics, use them. Your goal is a framework that drives consistent decisions.

Domain Context

• Custom weights: Different companies weight factors differently
• Transparency: Weights should be explicit, not hidden
• Alignment: Weights should reflect strategy, not personal preference
• Revisit regularly: Weights should change as strategy evolves

Instructions

1. Identify evaluation criteria: Impact, effort, customer reach, strategic fit, etc.
2. Assign weights: How important is each factor? (%)
3. Score each opportunity: Rate on each criterion (1-5)
4. Calculate total score: Sum of (weight × score)
5. Rank and validate: Does ranking match intuition?
6. Adjust weights: Tweak until ranking feels right

Output Artifact

Weighted scoring model (1-2 pages):

• Evaluation criteria and weights
• Scoring rubric (how to score each criterion)
• Opportunities scored and ranked
• Top priorities with rationale

Anti-Patterns

• Arbitrary weights: Not grounded in strategy
• Static model: Never revisiting weights
• Too many criteria: More than 5-6 criteria adds noise
• Not documenting rubric: Different raters score inconsistently

Further Reading

• Inspired (Marty Cagan) — prioritization
• The Lean Product Playbook (Dan Olsen) — decision frameworks