Generating Value by Using Multivoting

by Rod Baxter, Principal, Value Generation Partners

Multivoting is a simple, efficient approach for selecting and reaching group consensus on the most important ideas from a list on which to focus. It can be thought of as reducing the trivial many to the critical few.

Multivoting may be used when:

• There are too many ideas on which to focus
• Consensus for selecting ideas is preferred
• Team approach and input are preferred
• Opinions vary on which ideas should take priority

The benefits of multivoting include:

• Provide a collaborative team environment
• Provide a consistent approach for selecting ideas
• Provide an effective and efficient approach for selecting ideas
• Facilitate building consensus
• Save time and cost by focusing on select ideas

Multivoting Process:

1. Assemble a team prepared to conduct multivoting session on an existing list of ideas or by brainstorming a new list of ideas
2. Write each idea on a flip chart and assign consecutive numbers, starting with one (1) through the entire list of ideas
3. Provide each participant with a limited number of colored dot stickers (usually one-third of the total number of ideas listed)
4. Ask participants to vote on their choice for the top ideas by placing a dot next to an idea
   1. Determine the maximum number of votes each participant may post on a single idea
   2. If appropriate, voting may be done in confidence by asking participants to write on a piece of paper their votes for top choices
5. Record the total number of votes for each idea
   1. If necessary, repeat the multivoting process on the ideas with the highest votes until the list of ideas with the most votes is manageable for taking action
6. Develop an action plan (who, what, and when) for the ideas with the most votes

An example of using multivoting is characterized by a team challenged with determining select ideas, from a list of 20, on which to focus their efforts. A list of brainstorming ideas is developed by the team to reduce customer wait time at a service desk for issuing license plates and car titles in a government office. The team decides to use multivoting to select the top five ideas from the list. Using a cut-off value of five votes after the first round of voting, there are eight ideas remaining on the list. With limited resources and time, the team wishes to reduce the list to five ideas. The team conducts a second round of multivoting on the remaining list of eight ideas; it becomes clear by the number of votes those top five ideas the team feels is most important to implement. There is full support and ownership by the team and sponsor to proceed with implementation of the ideas numbered 2, 5, 6, 10, and 17. See the voting table image for the votes cast in two rounds.

Value Generation Partners wishes you much success in your pursuit of identifying the critical-few ideas on which to prioritize and focus, thereby generating greater value in your organization!

This post is useful in combination with LinkedIn Pulse posts found at this link.

Value Generation Partners is excited to announce the release of the must-have “Operational Excellence Handbook,” which is available at Lulu.com in paperback and eBook.   Operational Excellence Handbook on Lulu.com

With the purchase of this handbook, the reader has access to a companion file, “Operational Excellence Toolbox,” containing all referenced templates.