Evaluation Matrix

When to use Evaluation Matrix

Use this method when you need to narrow down a large number of ideas generated during a brainstorming session and want to select the most promising ones based on specific strategic goals and resource constraints.

What it solves

Difficulty prioritizing ideas due to subjective opinions or lack of clear criteria; Risk of pursuing ideas that are not feasible or aligned with strategic goals.

How to run Evaluation Matrix, step by step

1. Define Evaluation Criteria (10 min). As a group, determine 2-3 key criteria for evaluating ideas (e.g., impact, feasibility, alignment with strategic goals).
2. Create the Matrix (5 min). Draw a 2x2 matrix on a whiteboard or digital canvas, labeling the axes with the chosen criteria.
3. Plot Ideas (20 min). Have each participant place their ideas on the matrix based on their assessment of how well each idea meets the criteria. Encourage discussion and justification of placements.
4. Discuss and Prioritize (15 min). Facilitate a discussion about the placement of ideas, focusing on areas of agreement and disagreement. Identify the ideas that fall into the high-impact, high-feasibility quadrant as top priorities.

Materials needed

• Whiteboard or digital whiteboard (Miro, Mural)
• Sticky notes or digital equivalents
• Markers or digital pens
• Pre-defined evaluation criteria

Facilitator tips

• Clearly define the evaluation criteria upfront to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Encourage open discussion and debate about the placement of ideas on the matrix.
• Focus on identifying the 'low-hanging fruit' – ideas that are both high-impact and easy to implement.

Common pitfalls

• Vague or poorly defined evaluation criteria can lead to subjective and inconsistent ratings.
• Dominant voices can influence the placement of ideas, skewing the results. Encourage equal participation and diverse perspectives.

Variations

• Use a weighted scoring system to assign numerical values to each criterion and calculate an overall score for each idea.
• Involve stakeholders from different departments or backgrounds in the evaluation process to get a broader perspective.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create the matrix and allow participants to collaboratively place ideas.

What it produces

A visual matrix displaying ideas plotted against defined criteria, with clear identification of top-priority concepts.

Origin

Adapted from Service Design Tools — source

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