Method · Decisions

Dot voting: how to run it

Everybody gets a few votes — dots — to put on the options they like best, so a group can see its priorities in minutes instead of debating every item.

25 minutes4 stepsDecisions
Other methods

When it helps

Use it to narrow a long list — ideas from a brainstorm, topics for a meeting, features for a release — to the few the group cares about most, quickly and fairly.

When to use something else

Skip it for final decisions with real consequences where the reasoning matters, or where a few people’s expertise should count more than a headcount.

How to run it, step by step

  1. Make the list clear5 min
    • Read each option aloud so everyone understands what they are voting for.
  2. Hand out the votes2 min
    • Usually three to five dots each; decide whether people may put more than one on the same option.
  3. Vote, at the same time5 min
    • Everyone places dots together, so nobody follows the crowd.
  4. Count and discuss the top few13 min
    • Look at the top three to five. Is anyone surprised, and why?

What comes out — an example

Made up, to show the shape.

List. 18 ideas from a brainstorm on reducing support tickets.

Votes. Five dots each, 9 people.

Top three. In-app guide for setup (14 dots); better error messages (11); a status page (8).

Next. In-app guide goes into next sprint (Yuki).

Questions

What is dot voting?

A quick way for a group to prioritise: each person gets a set number of votes, often stickers, to place on the options they prefer.

How many dots should each person get?

A common rule is about a third of the number of options, or three to five dots each.

How do you stop people copying each other’s votes?

Have everyone vote at the same time, or vote privately on a shared board and reveal results together.

Other methods

Six Thinking HatsThe group looks at one question from six angles in turn — facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas and process — so everyone thinks the same way at the same time instead of arguing.RACIA grid that says, for each task or decision, who does the work (Responsible), who answers for it (Accountable), who is asked first (Consulted) and who is told after (Informed).DACIA way to make a group decision clear before discussing it: one Driver runs the process, one Approver makes the call, Contributors give input, and the Informed are told the result.RAPID decision rolesAssign five roles for an important decision — who Recommends, who must Agree, who will Perform it, who gives Input, and the one person who Decides — so it gets made and carried out.Six-page memo meetingInstead of slides, someone writes a narrative memo of up to six pages; the meeting starts with everyone reading it in silence, then discusses it.Consent decision-makingA decision goes ahead unless someone has a reasoned objection — not “is this the best idea?” but “is it good enough for now and safe enough to try?”

Every method →

Try Meetful

Meetings that take their own notes

Free video meetings in the browser: every line of the transcript under the name of who said it, and the summary and action items when you hang up. Nothing to install — guests just open the link.

Try Meetful freeSee what it does