Evaluate a Project Idea
Identify ideas to pursue further using a value heatmap
A Value Heatmap helps a team evaluate generated project or use-case ideas based on two preferred criteria, such as business value and complexity or effort to build it. This exercise makes it easier to visualize which ideas are worth pursuing further.
GOAL
Evaluate a project idea via heatmap visualization
PARTICIPANTS
Department leads from business and IT, strategic decision makers
TIME NEEDED
30 - 45 minutes
PHASE
Explore
Before You Start
- Collect Innovation Opportunities
- It can be particularly useful to evaluate and prioritize use-case ideas based on value and effort. In this case, a previous session is required to identify a list of possible use-case ideas. See the method:
Materials you will need
Templates for Download
Templates for Virtual Collaboration
Steps
Collect top-voted ideas
As a team, collect your top voted project or use-case ideas and write them on sticky notes.
Choose two axes criteria
Choose one criteria for each axis. Choose criteria that make sense for the customer and situation. We suggest “Business value” vs. “Effort, or “Value for employee” vs. “Costs”, etc.
You can change the criteria on the axes and run more than one evaluation round for the same ideas.
Place ideas on map
Have the team select one project or use-case idea at a time, evaluate it against the two axes, and then place it on the heatmap.
Discuss and decide which ideas to focus on
Discuss and decide which ideas to focus on, based on their placement on the map.
See Completed Example
Select those ideas with high value and short realization time to ensure a positive feedback from sponsors. This excitement will help you plan and conduct further innovation projects following the same approach.
You're done!
Now that you have selected a project idea to focus on, you can keep the shortlisted ideas as part of an innovation roadmap and try to find sponsors and budget for the ideas which require more budget and time.