Quick tips for using test methods for prioritizing features of a project or product.

1. Prioritization
Methods
Shanae Ullman

2. Sample Criteria for Prioritization
• Value to Students, Faculty and Staff
• Value to Strategic Plan
• Active Learning Ecosystem
• Transformational Innovation
• Diversity and Inclusiveness
• Strategic Growth
• Timeline and Urgency
• Is the project urgent or are there other projects that are
needed first?
• Consider important dates in Academic Year (Ex. Start of
semester, breaks, Finals, etc)
• Budget
• Staff Dependencies
• Technology Dependencies
What
else?

3. Why use prioritization
methods?
Decide
• Decide on what projects and tasks to work on first.
Break down
• Break down complex projects into smaller tasks.
Plan
• Plan a roadmap for completing large projects.
Build
• Build consensus with project teams and stakeholders.
Brainstorm
• Brainstorm ideas that can lead to a solution.
Uncover
• Uncover new projects and change requirements.

4. Bullseye Prioritization Method
1. Brainstorm ideas for required project tasks or features.
2. Rank the project tasks or/and features.
• Most important tasks/features go in the inner circle.
• Somewhat important tasks/features go in the middle circle.
• Least important or time consuming tasks/features go in the outer circle.
3. Do it again. Rank the project tasks/features in the inner circle.
• Prioritize until you have a manageable amount of high priority tasks to start.

5. Example: Birthday Party
Research locations.
Order cake.
Create Invitations.
Put in reservation.
Send invitations.
Hire a DJ
Buy a new outfit.
Low
Medium
High
Have fireworks.

6. Example: Birthday Party
Low
Medium
High
Research locations.
Order cake.
Create Invitations.
Put in reservation.
Send invitations.
Hire a DJ
Buy a new outfit. Have fireworks.

7. Create Your Own Bullseye
• Choose a project that you are currently working on.
• Write a task on each post-it (choose 5-10 tasks).
• Reflect on each task's
• Value to students, faculty, staff
• Value to Strategic Plan
• Timeline and urgency (Is there a deadline, can it be changed?)
• Budget (if applicable)
• Dependencies (technology or/and staff)
• Rank the task as high, medium or low priority.
• Do it again. Rank the tasks in the high priority circle.

8. Prioritization Methods
• Bullseye Method
o https://brianbalfour.com/essays/traction-the-bullseye-framework
• 2x2 Matrix Method
o https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-make-better-decisions-using-a-2x2-matrix
• Pugh Charts
o https://www.whatissixsigma.net/pugh-matrix/