1d (edited) • General discussion
Lesson 11: The "One-Sheet" Prioritisation Engine
Lesson 12: The "One-Sheet" Prioritisation Engine
The I.C.E. framework is a powerful mental model, but mental models vanish the moment a client sends a frantic WhatsApp message.
To make I.C.E. stick, you cannot just talk about it. You must visualise it.
You need a neutral "Judge" that sits between you and the client. That judge is a simple Google Sheet.
This sheet transforms I.C.E. from an abstract theory into a hard-edged prioritisation engine. It turns the question "What should we do next?" into a maths problem rather than an opinion contest.
Here is how to build and run the I.C.E. Sheet using the "Effort" formula.
1. The Anatomy of the Sheet
You do not need complex project management software. A simple spreadsheet works best because it offers zero friction.
Create a single tab called "The Strategy Log" with these exact columns:
- Column A: The Initiative: (e.g., "Launch Podcast" or "Fix Checkout Bug").
- Column B: Confidence (1-10): (How sure are we this will work?)
- Column C: Impact (1-10): (If it works, how big is the payoff?)
- Column D: Effort (1-10): (How hard/expensive is this? 1 = Trivial, 10 = massive project).
- Column E: THE SCORE: The formula: =(B2*C2)/D2.
- Column F: Status: (Backlog, On Deck, Active, Done).
The Maths: Notice how "Effort" is the denominator (the bottom of the fraction).
- High Effort divides the score, dragging the priority down.
- Low Effort keeps the score high, pushing quick wins to the top.
2. The "Sort" Function (The Reality Check)
The power of this sheet is not in the data entry; it is in the sorting.
When a client adds five new "urgent" ideas to the sheet, the list looks chaotic. It feels like everything needs to happen at once.
You simply click the arrow on Column E (The Score) and select "Sort Z → A" (Highest to Lowest).
Suddenly, the reality is revealed:
- Top Row: "Fix Checkout Bug"
- Middle Row: "Write Blog Post"
- Bottom Row: "Launch Podcast"
The spreadsheet has made the decision for you. You don't have to tell the client their podcast idea is a distraction; the spreadsheet puts it at the bottom of the pile automatically because the effort is too high for the predicted return.
3. The "On Deck" Limit
To prevent I.C.E. from becoming just a wishlist, you must visually separate "Planning" from "Doing."
Use conditional formatting or a thick black border to separate the top 3 rows from the rest of the list.
The Rule: "Mr Client, we only move items into the 'Active' phase if they are in the top 3 scores. If you want to work on the Podcast (Score 3), we need to find a way to reduce the Effort (e.g., do a simpler version) to improve the ratio. Otherwise, it stays in the backlog."
This gamifies the process. The client stops fighting you and starts fighting the score. They start asking intelligent questions like: "How can we lower the Effort on this project so the score goes up?"
4. Handling "The HIPPO" (Highest Paid Person's Opinion)
Sometimes, a CEO will demand you work on a low-scoring task simply because they want it.
The I.C.E. Sheet protects you here, too.
If they force a task with a score of 3 to the top of the list, overriding a task with a score of 45, you note it in the sheet.
You say: "I have moved the 'Homepage Animation' (Score 3) to 'Active' as requested. Just for the record, this means we are pausing the 'Checkout Fix' (Score 45) to make space for it. I just want to ensure we are all aligned that we are trading a high-ROI activity for a preference-based one."
The sheet forces them to acknowledge the Opportunity Cost. Usually, when they see the scores side-by-side, they back down.
Summary
The Google Sheet is not just a tracker; it is a negotiation tool.
- It captures every idea so the client feels heard.
- It uses the (Confidence * Impact) / Effort formula to penalise complex, low-confidence ideas.
- It forces low-value tasks to the bottom without you saying a word.
Next Step: Create a blank Google Sheet right now. Add the headers: Initiative, Confidence, Impact, Effort, SCORE. Enter the formula =(B2*C2)/D2 in the score column. Add three dummy tasks and practice "Selling the Sort" to yourself.
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Lesson 11: The "One-Sheet" Prioritisation Engine
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