As a product manager, you are constantly faced with the challenge of prioritizing the features and improvements you want to make to your product. For this reason, the most common use of RICE scoring is in – but not limited to – product management and development. With limited time and resources, it’s important to prioritize the most impactful and feasible ideas.
RICE stands for reach, impact, confidence, and effort. Each of these factors can be assigned a score from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. By scoring each potential product improvement or feature using the RICE model, you can quickly and objectively compare and prioritize different ideas.
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How Does the RICE Model Work?
The RICE model is used to prioritize tasks and projects by assigning each task a total score. This score is determined by multiplying the Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort scores. For example, if a task has a Reach score of 4, Impact score of 6, Confidence score of 8, and an Effort score of 2, its total score would be 4x6x8x2, or 384. This score can then be compared to the scores of other tasks to determine which should be prioritized first.
What are the different components of the RICE model?
Reach 
Reach refers to the number of users or customers who will be affected by the change. A feature with a high reach score will have a larger impact on your product and business.
Impact 
Impact refers to the significance of the change for your users or customers. A feature with a high impact score will have a greater impact on your product and business.
Confidence 
Confidence refers to the level of certainty that the change will be successful and have the desired impact. A feature with a high confidence score is more likely to be successful and have a positive impact.
Note: There are different ways to use the Confidence factor. Itamar Gilad suggests a logarithmic model where “guessing” has a much lower calculatory value than knowledge based in facts and studies.
Effort 
The fourth and final factor in the RICE model is Effort. This factor assesses the time and resources required to complete the project. The Effort score is typically determined by a project manager or developer based on their knowledge of the IT infrastructure and team size.
Calculation of RICE Scores
Once the Relevance, Impact, Confidence, and Effort scores have been determined, the RICE scores can be calculated. The RICE scores are calculated by multiplying the scores of each factor. For example, if a project has a Relevance score of 3, an Impact score of 2, a Confidence score of 4, and an Effort score of 1, the RICE score would be calculated as 3 x 2 x 4 x 1 = 24. The higher the RICE score, the higher the priority of the project.
Examples of RICE Model Usage
One example of RICE model usage is in product development.
For example, let’s say you are considering adding a new feature to your product that will allow users to customize their profiles.
You might assign a reach score of 7 (since many users will be affected by the change), an impact score of 8 (since the ability to customize profiles is a significant improvement for many users), a confidence score of 9 (since you are confident that the feature will be well-received), and an effort score of 6 (since it will take some time and resources to implement).
The total RICE score for this feature would be 7 x 8 x 9 x 6 = 3168.
By comparing the RICE scores of different potential features, you can prioritize the most impactful and feasible ideas and allocate your resources accordingly.
Another example of RICE model usage is in content marketing. Teams can use the RICE model to prioritize the content they create. They can assign scores based on the potential reach of the content and its impact on the team’s goals, as well as the resources needed to create it.
When not to use the RICE model
There are a few cases where the RICE scoring model may not be the right solution for prioritizing product improvements or features:
- When there are unknown or unknowable factors: The RICE model relies on accurate estimates of reach, impact, confidence, and effort. If there are unknown or unknowable factors that affect these estimates, the RICE scores may not be reliable.
- When the product is in a very early stage: In the early stages of product development, it may be difficult to accurately estimate reach, impact, confidence, and effort. As a result, the RICE scores may not be reliable.
- When the product has a limited number of features: If the product has a limited number of features, the RICE model may not be necessary, as there may not be enough potential improvements or features to justify using the model.
Key Takeaways
The RICE model is a useful tool that can be used to prioritize tasks and projects. . The RICE model can be used in a variety of contexts, such as product and website development, content marketing, but also any other area that requires prioritization of tasks based on multiple factors.
Sources and further reading
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Business Model Canvas
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Working Backward
Achieve your goals faster and more effectively with the working backward approach. Learn how to start with the desired outcome and work backwards to create a clear and actionable plan.
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MoSCoW Model
Get your project priorities straight with the MosCow model! This tried-and-true technique helps teams focus on what matters most, ensuring successful project delivery.
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