prioritization-funnel

# Prioritization Funnel ## Metadata - **Name**: prioritization-funnel - **Description**: Structured opportunity filtering and prioritization - **Triggers**: prioritization, resource allocation, opportunity filtering, project ranking ## Instructions Apply a multi-stage filtering process to prioritize opportunities or projects. ## Framework ### The Funnel Process ``` ALL OPPORTUNITIES (20-50 options) │ STAGE 1: DEFINITION ↓ Apply 4 criteria filters (Narrow to 20-30) │ STAGE 2: RAPID APPRAISAL ↓ Quick evaluation on key dimensions (Narrow to 5-15) │ STAGE 3: FINANCIAL MODELLING ↓ Assess quantitative impact (Narrow to 3-7) │ STAGE 4: DECISION MAKING ↓ Strategic evaluation (Select top 1-3) ``` ### Stage 1: Definition Filters | Criterion | Threshold | Pass Rate | |-----------|-----------|----------| | **Strategic Fit** | Must align | 60% pass | | **Market Size** | Must exceed threshold | 50% pass | | **Required Investment** | Within budget | 40% pass | | **Time Horizon** | Meets window | 70% pass | | **Resource Availability** | Feasible | 50% pass | **Result:** [Opportunities passed to Stage 2] ### Stage 2: Rapid Appraisal | Dimension | Weight | Scale (1-5) | Description | |-----------|---------|------------|----------------| | **Strategic Alignment** | 30% | [High/Med/Low] | Fit with goals | | **Market Potential** | 25% | [H/M/L] | Growth opportunity | | **Profitability Impact** | 20% | [H/M/L] | NPV or margin | | **Implementation Ease** | 15% | [Easy/Med/Hard] | Feasibility | | **Risk Level** | 10% | [H/M/L] | Project risk | | **Score** | [Calculated total] | **Result:** [Opportunities passed to Stage 3] ### Stage 3: Financial Modeling | Opportunity | NPV | IRR | Payback | Sensitivity | |------------|---------|---------|----------|------------| | [Opportunity A] | $X M | Y% | Z years | Analysis | | [Opportunity B] | $X M | Y% | Z years | Analysis | **Result:** [Opportunities ranked for final decision] ### Stage 4: Final Selection | Rank | Opportunity | Total Score | Key Differentiator | |-------|---------|-----------------|--------------------| | 1 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #1?] | | 2 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #2?] | | 3 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #3?] | --- ### Selected Opportunities **Priority 1: [Opportunity Name]** - **Action:** [Description] - **Owner:** [Who's responsible] - **Timeline:** [Start - completion] - **Budget:** [Allocation] **Priority 2: [Opportunity Name]** - **Action:** [Description] - **Owner:** [Who's responsible] - **Timeline:** [Start - completion] - **Budget:** [Allocation] **Priority 3: [Opportunity Name]** - **Action:** [Description] - **Owner:** [Who's responsible] - **Timeline:** [Start - completion] - **Budget:** [Allocation] --- ### Resource Allocation | Priority | Allocated Capital | % of Budget | Personnel | Timeline | |----------|-----------------|-----------------|------------------| | 1 | $X M | Y% | [Team lead] | Q1-Q2 | | 2 | $Y M | Z% | [Team lead] | Q2-Q3 | | 3 | $Z M | W% | [Team lead] | Q3-Q4 | | **Hold** | $V M | V% | - | - | ### Governance **Decision Authority:** [Who has final approval] **Approval Process:** [Stage gate process] **Review Timeline:** [When to review priorities] --- ### Monitoring | Metric | Target | Actual | Variance | Action | |--------|--------|---------|----------|----------| | # of opportunities in funnel | 20 | 18 | 🔴 -10 | Reassess funnel | | Average NPV of top 3 | $X M | $Y M | 🟢 +10% | Continue investment | | Resource utilization | 90% | 75% | 🟡 -15% | Optimize capacity | --- ### Funnel Metrics | Stage | Input | Pass Rate | Cycle Time | |--------|--------|---------|-------------| | Definition | 50 options | 60% | 1 week | | Appraisal | 30 options | 50% | 2 days | | Financial Modeling | 15 options | 33% | 1 week | | Selection | 7 options | 100% | Decision made | --- ### Strategic Implications **Portfolio Balance:** - [Analysis of opportunity mix] **Resource Constraints:** - [Budget constraint analysis] - [Capacity constraint analysis] - [Timeline constraint analysis] **Risk Factors:** - [Over-prioritizing quick wins] - [Under-prioritizing strategic opportunities] ## Tips - Be transparent about scoring - make criteria explicit - Use quantitative thresholds where possible - Balance qualitative and quantitative factors - Don't rush Stage 2 - financial modeling matters - Consider resource constraints realistically - Review funnel regularly - opportunities and conditions change - Document decision rationale for accountability - Use weighted scoring to reflect strategic priorities ## References - Various project management and portfolio management sources - McKinsey, BCG project management frameworks - PMI prioritization methods - Stage-gate process best practices