We may be entering the year full of ideas and ambitions.
There are resolutions, business plans, and the possibilities are endless.
A tool that can add some framework for decisions on where to place our time is ICE.
This is a measure that considers the Impact, Confidence, and Ease of each option.
The Process
To start, you create a grid that looks like the one below:
| PROJECT | Impact Score | Confidence Score | Ease Score | TOTAL |
| Project #1 | ||||
| Project #2 | ||||
| Project #3 |
You then use a 1-5 scale. I liked this framework from Linear:
There was another chart I found that had a good gauge for the confidence dimension:
Since this is on a 1-10 scale, adjust to blue = 1, light purple = 2, medium purple = 3, maroon = 4, red = 5.
After scoring the projects on these three dimensions, you multiply the three numbers together:
Once you have done the calculation for all the project options, you can look at the overall score for each and consider moving forward with the option that has the highest score.
RICE – An Alternative
A slight twist on the ICE model is called the RICE model.
In this case, one dimension is added – the reach of the project – and “ease” becomes “effort”.
My Perspective
For the model to work effectively, it’s important to determine the scale you will use for each metric.
Ensuring you take as much subjectivity out of the equation as possible will make the outcome stronger.
I can see this model being used both at work and at home.
I’m going to try applying it to my goals and see how they stack up.
Your Turn
Have you used the ICE or RICE model?
Which of the formulas do you prefer?
What situations at work or home can you see this framework being helpful?