This document provides a worksheet to help a group choose an issue to focus on by rating up to three potential issues against seven criteria. These criteria include how deeply people will care about the issue, whether it is winnable, how noticeable the improvement would be, how clear the issue is to others, whether it has a defined time frame, how divisive the issue may be, and whether it will build leadership. Issues are rated from 1 to 3 on each criterion and the totals are added up at the end to compare the issues and help the group narrow its choice down to one issue to focus on.

1. HOW TO CHOOSE AN ISSUE
WORKSHEET
This chart should be used to generate discussion among the members of your Group. It should help you decide
which issue you could win, and what issue you may lose, but are willing to take on because the little wins
would be very effective.
Issue #1
Issue #2
Issue #3
Write each issue in
here 
On a scale of 1 to 3 (1 being less and 3 being more) rate whether the issue will:
1)
Be something people
care deeply about?*
(circle one)
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
2) Be winnable?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
3) Result in a noticeable
improvement?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
4) Be clear to others?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
5) Have a defined time
frame?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
6) Be non-divisive?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
7) Build leadership?
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
*If you circle 1 here, pick
another issue. You can’t
win if you don’t believe!
TOTAL
*****
Now, add the totals from each issue. A lower score may indicate that more thought will be needed about that
particular issue. After you see how the top three issues compare, narrow your choices down to one. Write that
issue at the top of the “Brainstorm Goals” worksheet on page16.