Dot Voting #
Dot Voting, also known as “Dotmocracy” or “Multi-voting,” is a simple and effective method used in Agile and other collaborative settings to prioritize items, gather feedback, or make decisions. Participants are given a certain number of dots (stickers, markers, or votes) that they can distribute among a list of options. The options with the most dots are considered the highest priority or the most favored.
Key Characteristics: #
– Democratic: Every participant has an equal say.
– Visual and Intuitive: Easy to understand and visually interpret.
– Efficient: Quickly highlights priorities without extensive discussion.
Steps of Dot Voting: #
1. Prepare the List:
– Create a list of items to be prioritized or voted on. This could be user stories, features, retrospective actions, ideas, etc.
2. Distribute Dots:
– Give each participant a set number of dots (votes). The number of dots can vary depending on the number of items and participants (e.g., 3-5 dots per participant).
3. Voting:
– Participants place their dots next to the items they think are most important or valuable. They can distribute their dots across multiple items or place multiple dots on a single item if they feel strongly about it.
4. Count the Dots:
– Once everyone has voted, count the number of dots next to each item.
5. Prioritize or Decide:
– The items with the most dots are considered the highest priority or the most favored.
Example of Dot Voting for Prioritizing Product Features #
Scenario: The team is prioritizing new features for the next release of their e-commerce website.
Participants:
– Product Owner: Eva
– Development Team: Alice (Frontend Developer), Bob (Backend Developer), Carol (QA Engineer)
– Scrum Master: Dave
List of Features:
1. Feature 1: Advanced Search Filters
2. Feature 2: Customer Reviews and Ratings
3. Feature 3: Wishlist Functionality
4. Feature 4: Social Media Sharing
5. Feature 5: Product Recommendations
6. Feature 6: Order History
Dot Voting Session:
1. Prepare the List:
– The features are listed on a whiteboard or flip chart.
2. Distribute Dots:
– Each participant receives 4 dots (votes).
3. Voting:
– Participants place their dots next to the features they believe are most important for the next release.
– Eva: 1 dot on Advanced Search Filters, 1 dot on Customer Reviews, 2 dots on Product Recommendations.
– Alice: 2 dots on Advanced Search Filters, 2 dots on Wishlist Functionality.
– Bob: 1 dot on Customer Reviews, 1 dot on Product Recommendations, 2 dots on Order History.
– Carol: 2 dots on Customer Reviews, 2 dots on Social Media Sharing.
4. Count the Dots:
– Advanced Search Filters: 3 dots (Eva – 1, Alice – 2)
– Customer Reviews and Ratings: 4 dots(Eva – 1,Bob – 1,Carol – 2)
– Wishlist Functionality: 2 dots (Alice – 2)
– Social Media Sharing: 2 dots (Carol – 2)
– Product Recommendations: 3 dots (Eva – 2, Bob – 1)
– Order History: 2 dots (Bob – 2)
5. Prioritize or Decide:
– The features are prioritized based on the number of dots:
1. Customer Reviews and Ratings: 4 dots
2. Advanced Search Filters: 3 dots
3. Product Recommendations: 3 dots
4. Wishlist Functionality: 2 dots
5. Social Media Sharing: 2 dots
6. Order History: 2 dots
Summary of Dot Voting: #
| Feature ID | Description | Dots (Votes) |
| F1 | Advanced Search Filters | 3 |
| F2 | Customer Reviews | 4 |
| F3 | Wishlist Functionality | 2 |
| F4 | Social Media Sharing | 2 |
| F5 | Product Recommendations | 3 |
| F6 | Order History | 2 |
Benefits of Dot Voting: #
– Quick Prioritization: Efficiently identifies priorities within a group.
– Equal Participation: Ensures all voices are heard and considered.
– Visual Representation: Easily interprets results visually.
– Consensus Building: Facilitates agreement and alignment among team members.
Conclusion #
Dot Voting is a straightforward and effective technique for prioritizing tasks, features, or ideas in Agile and collaborative environments. By allowing participants to distribute their votes, the method quickly surfaces the group’s collective priorities and facilitates informed decision-making. The example of prioritizing e-commerce features demonstrates how Dot Voting can be used to align team efforts with the most important goals.
