Prioritization is one of the toughest and most critical tasks in any strategic planning process, especially in the Government sector. Often, everything feels equally important—whether it’s revitalizing downtown or conserving water but treating all goals equally dilutes focus and slows progress. So, how do you decide what truly matters? Force prioritization is a method that compels decision-makers to confront competing priorities and emerge with clear, actionable focus areas.
In this blog, we’ll break down the force prioritization framework with insights from Nick Kittle, who explains the math behind it (yes, math!) and shows how it transforms strategic plans in government into priorities for action. By the end, you’ll have a blueprint to help you set crystal-clear priorities based on data, not guesswork.
What is Forced Ranking?
Forced ranking is like giving your priorities a reality check. It’s a method of organizing a list of options projects, ideas, tasks, or problem statements by ranking them in order of importance. The most important item earns the top spot, while the least significant finds itself at the bottom. Simple, right?
But here’s the catch: no ties allowed. Unlike other prioritization methods, forced ranking demands that every option be assigned a unique place on the list. No two choices get the same rank. This keeps you from falling into the “everything is equally important” trap, which, let’s be honest, helps no one.
At its core, forced ranking is about figuring out what deserves your attention (and your resources) first. You tackle the highest-ranked tasks or projects before moving down the list working through what’s most impactful while staying within your limits.
The “One Question” Rule
Forced ranking often works best with a single guiding question. Why? Because focusing on one criterion makes it easier to avoid ties and keeps the process moving quickly. For example, you might ask, “Which project will generate the most additional revenue?” or “Which initiative will have the greatest community impact?” With one clear question, it’s easier to stack your options and make confident decisions.
People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it. And WHAT you do simply proves what you believe.
When Should You Use Forced Ranking?
Forced ranking shines when you’re pressed for time, dealing with a mountain of options, or facing decisions where everything feels equally important. You don’t need a ton of extra data or lengthy analysis it’s a quick and effective way to get to an actionable result.
Here’s why it works: It forces clarity. It cuts through indecision. And most importantly, it ensures progress even when you’re under pressure.
If stuck in prioritization purgatory, try forced ranking. It might just be the straightforward solution you didn’t know you needed.
5 Easy Steps to Force Prioritization
Now that you know what forced ranking is and when to use it, let’s dive into the step-by-step process Nick Kittle recommends for putting it into action.
Step 1: Define Your Key Focus Areas
Every strategic plan starts with identifying the overarching key focus areas that align with your vision. These could range from affordable housing and water conservation to community broadband and downtown revitalization. In most cases, you’ll have about 4 – 8 focus areas, all of which feel critical—but this process forces you to stack rank them.
Step 2: Introduce Force Prioritization
Force prioritization is about assigning relative importance to your goals rather than assuming they’re all equally vital. Here’s the core of the process:
Assign 100 Points to Key Focus Areas
Ask council members or commissioners to distribute 100 points across the focus areas that are most important to achieving the vision of the communities. They can allocate points evenly (e.g., 25-25-25-25) or emphasize one area over others (e.g., 50-20-20-10). The total must equal 100, which forces participants to make hard choices about what matters most.
Dig Deeper with Strategic Objectives
Take it a step further by asking all participants, like staff members, council members, and commissioners, to distribute another 100 points across the strategic objectives most important within each key focus area. For example, under “Housing,” participants might prioritize “affordable housing initiatives” over “housing density policies.” This added layer ensures you’re not just ranking broad categories but also the specific actions required to achieve them.
Step 3: Crunch the Numbers
Once the surveys are collected, calculate the weighted averages. For example, if “Housing” receives 8.9 points out of 100 and “Community Broadband” receives 2.1, it’s clear which is a higher priority. This process often reveals surprising insights, sparking important discussions among stakeholders.
Step 4: Discuss and Validate
Force prioritization doesn’t end with numbers. Use the results to have a candid conversation with decision-makers:
Does it make sense that “Housing” is rated nearly four times more important than “Broadband”?
Should “Water Conservation” truly rank lower than “Downtown Revitalization”?
Conversations about priorities can sometimes feel like family debates during the holidays awkward but necessary. Forced prioritization has a way of surfacing hard truths, but that’s where its power lies. Lean into the discomfort to ensure the results are meaningful and actionable.
Step 5: Align Teams and Resources
Once priorities are finalized, they become a guiding light for staff. For example, if “Housing” is ranked significantly higher than “Broadband,” teams can confidently allocate more resources to housing initiatives, knowing they’re aligned with organizational goals.
Example in Action
Here’s an example of force prioritization at work:
| Key Focus Area | Points |
|---|---|
| Affordable Housing | 8.9 |
| Downtown Revitalization | 6.1 |
| Water Conservation | 4.1 |
| Community Broadband | 2.1 |
This ranking shows that affordable housing is more than four times as critical as broadband, according to stakeholders. While broadband still holds value, it’s clear where the majority of resources should go to achieve the community’s vision.
Why It Works
Force prioritization isn’t just about ranking goals; it’s about creating alignment. It gives leaders and teams the confidence to make tough calls, knowing data back them. Most importantly, it ensures that strategic plans translate into real-world impact.
Conclusion
Prioritization may not be easy, but it’s essential. By using force prioritization, you can turn strategic chaos into clear, actionable priorities that drive progress. So grab some survey tools, do the math, and embrace the power of focus. Your community—and your strategic outcomes—will thank you.