RICE Scoring

RICE Scoring is an effective method for prioritising product features using a simple formula. By evaluating each option according to four criteria: Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort, teams can make informed, data-driven decisions. This helps structure the discussion and achieve consensus on which priorities to tackle first.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction to RICE Scoring

   10 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the four criteria of RICE Scoring: Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. They provide concrete examples for each criterion to clarify their meaning. Then, they explain the calculation formula: (Reach * Impact * Confidence) / Effort. This introduction lays the groundwork for participants to understand how each criterion influences the prioritisation of features.

   Tip — Use examples of features already known to the team to illustrate each criterion and make the explanation more concrete.

2. 2

   Defining Features

   15 min

   Participants list the features or product ideas to prioritise. The facilitator asks each participant to propose at least one feature, then compiles all suggestions on a visible board. They ensure that each feature is clearly defined and understood by the entire group to avoid any ambiguity during evaluation.

   Tip — Encourage the team to be precise and concise in their descriptions of features to facilitate later evaluation.

3. 3

   Evaluating Reach

   10 min

   The facilitator guides participants in evaluating the Reach of each feature, which is the number of people that the feature could impact over a given period. They may suggest scales (e.g., 1 to 10) to facilitate the process. Each participant provides their evaluation, and the group discusses to reach a consensus.

   Tip — Use real data or estimates based on existing users to make the Reach evaluation more accurate.

4. 4

   Evaluating Impact

   10 min

   Participants evaluate the Impact of each feature on a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 is low impact and 3 is massive impact. The facilitator encourages participants to base their evaluations on objective criteria, such as increased sales or improved customer satisfaction.

   Tip — Discuss potential impacts in terms of added value for the end user to help clarify evaluations.

5. 5

   Evaluating Confidence

   10 min

   Participants assess their confidence in the previous estimates on a scale of 0 to 100%. The facilitator explains that confidence is essential for adjusting scores based on uncertainty. They encourage an honest discussion about assumptions and available data for each feature.

   Tip — Remind the team that confidence is a way to manage uncertainty and encourage realistic rather than optimistic estimates.

6. 6

   Evaluating Effort

   10 min

   Participants estimate the effort required to develop each feature, typically in days or weeks. The facilitator encourages consideration of all necessary resources, including the time of developers, designers, etc. They ensure that estimates are realistic and based on past experiences.

   Tip — Use benchmarks from previous projects to guide the effort evaluation.

7. 7

   Calculating the RICE Score and Prioritisation

   15 min

   The facilitator guides the group in calculating the RICE score for each feature using the given formula. Participants then compare the scores to prioritise the features. The facilitator facilitates the discussion to ensure that the group fully understands the established priorities and adjusts if necessary based on discussions.

   Tip — Use a projected table or spreadsheet to visualise the scores and facilitate comparison of priorities.

Variants

• Use post-its for each participant to individually evaluate each criterion before discussing as a group.
• Integrate RICE Scoring into a project management tool to automate score calculations.
• Adapt the scale of the criteria to better fit the size and maturity of your organisation.