name: niopd-st-rice description: Applies RICE prioritization framework to score and rank features or initiatives. Use for feature prioritization, roadmap planning, resource allocation decisions, or stakeholder alignment on priorities.
RICE Prioritization Skill
This skill applies the RICE framework (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) to systematically prioritize features, initiatives, or projects.
Theoretical Foundation
Origin
RICE was developed by Intercom as a systematic way to prioritize features in a product backlog, combining quantitative assessment with structured effort estimation.
The RICE Formula
RICE Score = (Reach × Impact × Confidence) ÷ Effort
| Factor | Definition | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | How many customers affected in time period | Number (e.g., users/quarter) |
| Impact | How much will it improve outcomes | 0.25-3 (Minimal to Massive) |
| Confidence | How sure are we of estimates | 20%-100% |
| Effort | Person-months to complete | Number |
Impact Scale
- 3 = Massive impact
- 2 = High impact
- 1 = Medium impact
- 0.5 = Low impact
- 0.25 = Minimal impact
When to Use
- Roadmap planning sessions
- Sprint prioritization
- Feature request evaluation
- Resource allocation decisions
- Stakeholder alignment
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Items
List all features/initiatives to prioritize from:
- Backlog
- Feedback analysis
- Strategic initiatives
- Stakeholder requests
Step 2: Score Reach
For each item:
- "How many customers will this affect in [quarter/month]?"
- Use actual data when available
- Estimate when necessary
Step 3: Score Impact
For each item:
- "How much will this improve outcomes for affected users?"
- Use 0.25-3 scale
- Consider metrics movement
Step 4: Score Confidence
For each item:
- "How confident are we in Reach and Impact estimates?"
- 100% = High certainty (data-backed)
- 80% = Medium (educated guess)
- 50% = Low (speculation)
Step 5: Estimate Effort
For each item:
- "How many person-months to complete?"
- Include design, dev, QA, launch
- Use team input when possible
Step 6: Calculate Scores
Apply formula:
| Feature | Reach | Impact | Confidence | Effort | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [F1] | 10,000 | 2 | 80% | 3 | 5,333 |
| [F2] | 5,000 | 3 | 50% | 2 | 3,750 |
Step 7: Rank and Discuss
- Sort by RICE score descending
- Discuss outliers and concerns
- Consider strategic alignment
- Make final priority decisions
Step 8: Generate Report
File path: 02-reports/[YYYYMMDD]-rice-prioritization-v0.md
Contents:
- Prioritized list with scores
- Methodology notes
- Key decisions made
- Next steps
Output Specifications
- File Naming:
[YYYYMMDD]-rice-prioritization-v0.md - Location:
02-reports/ - Template:
references/rice-template.md
Related Skills
niopd-st-moscow: Alternative prioritizationniopd-ur-kano: Satisfaction-based categorizationniopd-pd-roadmap: Roadmap creationniopd-bs-feature-planning: Feature ideation