Prioritization (N/3)
A lightweight prioritisation technique that gives each participant a fixed number of 'priority votes' (total items ÷ 3 or 4) to place on a visible list. Unlike voting, participants can stack all their votes on one item or spread them freely. A negative polling step removes low-interest items with group consent.
How to run it
- 1
Display the full list of brainstormed items on a flip chart or wall, numbered clearly.
- 2
Count the total number of items. Divide by 3 if fewer than 10 items; divide by 4 if 10 or more. This is each participant's number of priority markers.
- 3
Explain the rules: this is not a vote — participants can put all markers on one item, or spread them however they choose.
- 4
Distribute sticky dots or ask participants to use coloured markers. Everyone marks their priorities simultaneously.
- 5
Tally the results. Items with the most markers surface as top priorities.
- 6
Negative polling: Point to any item with few or no markers. Ask 'Is it okay with everyone if we take this off the list?' Remove it only with group consent.
- 7
Summarise the prioritised shortlist.
Tips
Simultaneous marking prevents anchoring bias — avoid letting people mark sequentially.
Use the negative polling step generously; it clears the list without anyone feeling their idea was ignored.
For a digital version, use a shared spreadsheet or polling tool like Mentimeter.
Variations
Use coloured dots where each colour represents a different stakeholder group to visualise alignment across perspectives.
Where it fits
Related methods
Plan your next workshop with AI
Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like Prioritization (N/3) into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.
Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from University of Hawaii.