Ranking

Purpose

Individual and group ranking is a decision-making and prioritization method in which participants order a list of options according to their preferences, importance, or relevance. This method is commonly used in research, workshops, and team settings to surface collective priorities, identify consensus, and make data-driven choices.

Duration 

10-20 min

Tool requirements

• Ranking templates (physical or digital)

• Cards or sticky notes (for in-person)

• Digital survey or spreadsheet (for online/asynchronous)

Facilitators

1

Participants

2-20+

Instructions

Prep

1. Prepare the list of items, ideas, or criteria to be ranked.​

2. Decide whether the exercise will be individual (each participant ranks separately), group (participants discuss and agree), or both in sequence.​

3. Create tools to provide each participant or group with a ranking sheet, cards, or digital form.
   

Execute

1. For Individual Ranking:

   1. Each participant reviews all items and ranks them according to preference or importance /

   2. Collect the rankings for aggregation.

   For Group Ranking:

   1. Present results from individual rankings (optional: show averages, medians, or other statistics).​

   2. Facilitate a group discussion to review outliers or disagreements, clarify the criteria, and collectively refine the rankings.

   3. Use consensus or vote to finalize the group’s list.

Document

1. Record key discussion points, rationales for ranking, and final results in a table or summary.

2. Photograph or export the completed ranking for reference and future review.
   

External Resources

7 Types of Ranking Exercises [OpinionX]

Tool: OpinionX