How to Manage Priorities with the RICE Framework [+ Template]

Too many ideas, too little time - or too few resources? Want to grow sustainably, instead of taking a “spray and pray” approach?

In this post, we’ll introduce the RICE framework, a decision-making model that will help you set priorities, and focus on what matters.

What’s the RICE Framework?

The RICE framework is a decision-making model developed by Intercom. It’s commonly used in product management and project planning. And it helps teams evaluate and prioritize potential features, tasks, or projects based on four key factors: 

• Reach
• Impact
• Confidence
• Effort

The acronym "RICE" stands for these four criteria.

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Reach

This factor measures the number of users or customers affected by the feature or project. It helps in assessing the potential scale of impact.

For instance, a feature that allows your users to automatically sync product data with a third-party platform will only affect those users who are also relying on that integration partner. However, an initiative that aims to improve your product’s performance will affect every user.

Impact

Impact refers to the degree of positive change or benefit that the feature or project is expected to bring. To start assessing an initiative’s impact, ask yourself:

• Will this initiative add significant competitive value to your users’ experience with your product?
• Will it solve a mission-critical problem?

Confidence

How confident are you that this initiative will have the intended reach and impact? This is perhaps one of the most subjective and dispute-prone element of the framework. So take your time to evaluate it with your team. And try to make the conversation as data-driven as possible.

Effort

Effort estimates the amount of time and resources required to complete the feature or project. It helps in understanding the feasibility and practicality of implementing the initiative.

Ideally, the level of effort that the project requires will match the expected impact, reach, and confidence. Low-confidence, low-impact projects that require a high level of effort should most likely be discarded.

How to calculate your RICE score

Assess each of these factors, and assign them a score from 1 to 10. Then, multiply Reach, Impact, and Confidence. Next, divide the result by Effort.

The higher the RICE score, the higher the priority. This framework is valuable for teams facing resource constraints and needing to make informed decisions about where to allocate time and effort. It provides a systematic way to prioritize initiatives based on their potential impact and feasibility.

RICE Framework Template 

Need help implementing the RICE framework? We’ve created a self-questionnaire/template that will help you get started. Unlock it below:

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How to Overcome Common Challenges in RICE Framework Implemention

While the RICE Framework is a valuable tool, it’s not perfect. Often, teams that try to implement it struggle with subjective scoring, biases, and a lack of relevant data. These challenges limit the framework’s impact. Additionally, some teams are exceedingly optimistic, so they miscalculate effort and impact.

No framework is a one-fits-all, infallible solution. Teams will particularly benefit from this framework if:

• They’re used to gathering and utilizing learnings and data
• They have experience conducting experiments and iterating on ideas

Meanwhile, newer, less experienced teams will struggle to make the most out of the RICE framework. This framework won't be very useful either if you have a culture that doesn't encourage and honor new ideas. If when a senior executive has a pet idea, lower-ranking colleagues aren’t expected to question it, RICE may not be very impactful. At the end of the day, it’ll only be used to confirm what senior leadership already believes.

Frameworks like RICE can save you months of low-impact work and thousands of dollars. But culture eats strategy for breakfast.