converge · Decision Making, Planning · 30–60 min · 3-10 people · low energy
Forced Ranking
Each person ranks a list of items from 1 to n against clear criteria, with no ties allowed. The individual rankings are combined into one ordered list, which the group then discusses. Because nothing can share a place, people have to make the trade-offs they would otherwise avoid.
When to use Forced Ranking
Use when the group needs a clear priority order, for example for investments, features or projects, and everything looks important.
What it solves
Every item on the list is marked 'high priority', so nothing actually gets prioritised.
How to run Forced Ranking, step by step
- Prepare an unranked list of about ten items and agree the ranking criteria (10 min).
- Each person ranks every item from 1 (most important) to the last, with no ties (10 min).
- Tally the rankings into one combined order (5 min).
- Discuss the result, especially items where rankings differ widely (10-20 min).
- Agree the final order and next steps (5-10 min).
Materials needed
- The list of items on a flip chart or slide
- Ranking sheets or a spreadsheet
- Clearly written criteria
Facilitator tips
- Clear criteria are the whole game. Without them, people rank by gut feel.
- Keep the list to around ten items. Longer lists exhaust people.
- For several criteria, rank separately per criterion and compare.
Common pitfalls
- Arguing about the criteria during the ranking. Settle them first.
- Accepting the tally as final without discussing big disagreements.
Variations
- Rank on two criteria, such as value and effort, and plot the results on a 2x2.
Running it online or hybrid
Have each person rank privately in a form or spreadsheet, then show the combined ranking.
What it produces
A single ranked list, built from individual rankings against agreed criteria.
Origin
Collected in Gamestorming by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown and James Macanufo. Its origin is unknown. — source
Build a session around Forced Ranking
METODIC places Forced Ranking inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.