How to Prioritize Effectively Across Product - Use the Allocate and Prioritize Method

Prioritizing what to build, and in which order is one of the most impactful, yet complex decisions facing Product and Program leaders. The decision becomes even more complicated when more than 1 product area and/or team are involved. This is why using Allocation together with Prioritization works best. 

This article covers:

• The 4 steps of using Allocation + Prioritization
• Example for allocation and prioritization by Goals

The 4 steps of using Allocation + Prioritization

1. Decide on strategic drivers and allocation by strategic drivers 
2. Prioritize within the same factor
3. Enter Effort (or for more detailed planning, use Estimate) 
4. Check for allocation against the target

Here is an Example for Allocation and Prioritization by Goals. 

Below is an example of allocation and prioritization by goals. This can also be done with different dimensions like Product Teams, etc. 

Step 1 - set goals and target allocation

For example, the portfolio/product organization has 3 main goals:

• Grow new accounts
• Retain SMB customers
• Expand to the EMEA market.

Based on the strategic alignment with stakeholders, the target allocation is 50%, 25%, and 25%. You may set this target allocation on Setting >>  Portfolio Data

Step 2. Prioritize within each goal:

1. Filter the list of Ideas to fit the Timeframe relevant to the period of goal allocation
2. Group ideas by the goal.
3. Prioritize within each group (or use quantitative prioritization method e.g. RICE score, MoAR, or ROI).

** The above image shows allocation and prioritization in the Portfolio > List Page

Step 3 - Enter Effort or Estimate on the Forecast Module (List or Schedule Page) 

Step 4 - check Allocation - compare target vs. planned

Here is how allocation is calculated 

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