• Overview
• Step 1: Range of alternatives
• Step 2: Prepare the quadrants
• Step 3: Plot and evaluate alternatives
• Step 4: Determine the lead alternatives
• Step 5: Action steps
• Download Worksheet
• Additional Resources

Overview

Step 1: Range of alternatives

• You should start this activity with a range of alternatives (appr. 8-12)
• If you don't have a clear list of options yet you can use another tool to identify them with a team such as:
• Windward & Lee
• Note & Vote
• Write each alternative on a sticky (or digital sticky)

Step 2: Prepare the quadrants

• On a whiteboard or digital collaboration tool draw out the simple quadrants
• (Read
  Intro to digital collaboration
  )

Step 3: Plot and evaluate alternatives

• One at a time assess each stick on the board with your team
• Start by asking the team about "Impact"
• Does the sticky belong more towards the top (higher impact) or bottom (lower impact) of the board
• Then for the same sticky ask about Effort
• More to the right (higher effort) or left (lower effort)
• Continue with one sticky at a time until all are placed

Step 4: Determine the lead alternatives

• Top left quadrant: Do now! Can get these moving in less than a week (maybe even today)
• Top right quadrant: Make it a project
• Bottom left: Put a task in the backlog
• Bottom right: Forget for now

Step 5: Action steps

• Take each of the stickies except from the bottom right quadrant
• Have each member in the group volunteer to take ownership of a sticky
• They can do/start the initiative themselves or nominate and find someone to take the initiative forward

Download Worksheet

Additional Resources

• Windward & Lee
• Note & Vote