Dot Voting
A democratic prioritisation technique where each participant receives a fixed number of votes (represented by dot stickers or marks) to allocate across a set of options. Options with the most dots rise to the top. It's fast, visual, and bypasses lengthy verbal debate, making it one of the most-used tools in facilitation.
How to run it
- 1
Display all options clearly on a board or wall.
- 2
Give each participant a fixed number of votes (typically 3–5 dots). More options = more dots.
- 3
Participants place their dots on their preferred options (they may stack multiple dots on one item if allowed).
- 4
Count up the dots on each option.
- 5
The options with the most dots are the group's priorities.
- 6
If needed, discuss the top results briefly before making a final decision.
Tips
Decide upfront whether participants can stack all their dots on one option — allowing it creates stronger signal but can be gamed.
For sensitive topics, run a 'blind vote' where everyone places dots simultaneously.
Variations
Use coloured dots to distinguish votes by role or seniority. Run 'reverse dot voting' — give everyone red dots to mark options they strongly oppose.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Dot Voting?▾
Use Dot Voting when you want to: Prioritising backlogs; Selecting workshop topics; Narrowing down ideas after brainstorming; Feature prioritisation.
How long does Dot Voting take?▾
Dot Voting typically takes 5–20 minutes.
How many participants does Dot Voting work for?▾
Dot Voting works best for groups of 2–100 participants.
What materials do I need for Dot Voting?▾
To run Dot Voting you will need: sticky dots or markers, list of options on a board.
How difficult is Dot Voting to facilitate?▾
Dot Voting is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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