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Simple & Pragmatic Problem Solving
#98Chapter 7: Option Selection, Execution & Control• Selection, Execution and ControlVisual, Democratic and Convergent (Visual Dotmocracy) Thinkinggroup Mode15-30 Minutes(Quick (15 to 30 minutes))

Dot Voting

From the book "Advanced Problem-Solving Toolbox: 115 Creative Plays" | Compiled & Edited by: Mojtaba Goudarzi, Open translation: Mehrshid Goudarzi
Executive Synopsis & Core Logic:

Popular and fast democratic prioritization technique; Distribute a certain number of colored dots or stickers among the participants to stick on popular options and instantly discover the weight of collective preferences.

Operational Parameters & Specifications

Category
Selection, Execution and Control
Dominant Thinking
Visual, Democratic and Convergent (Visual Dotmocracy)
Participation
group
Estimated TimeQuick (15 to 30 minutes)
15-30 Minutes
Workshop
Input Format
List of ideas on the wall, stickers or colored dot markers
Output Format
Instant visual idea selection and ranking
Key Application
Designing agile sprints (Design Sprint), choosing the theme of events, prioritizing software features, determining workshop topics and resolving conflicts in busy meetings.
Core Differentiator:

Super speed, simultaneous physical and visual engagement of all members, and turning complex qualitative judgments into a live Heatmap in minutes.

Quick Field Example:

In the design sprint meeting with 20 ideas on the wall, each person is given 3 red dots; Within 5 minutes, everyone tags and the two ideas with the most points are instantly selected.

Operational Benefits & Implementation Risks

Advantages & Value Creation:

Incomparable speed in decision-making, justice in the distribution of voting power, an extraordinarily clear visual representation of the collective will, workshop vitality.

Risks & Potential Trade-offs:

Bandwagon Effect: People tend to vote for options that have already received a lot of points.

Real-World Organizational & Industry Scenarios

Digital product design sprints: selecting the best wireframes from designers' work with dot tags.
Events and Conferences: Selection of annual conference title and keynote speakers by spot voting of committee members.
Kaizen and work environment improvement: Prioritization of production line problems by operators in a 10-minute walk-in session.

Strategic Rationale & Why to Apply

1End Attrition Negotiations: 5 minutes of spot voting does what 3 hours of verbal bargaining can't.
2Silence instead of shouting: In this method, the shyest intern has the same 3 points that the CEO is holding.
3Create a visual heat map: with a glance at a distance of 10 meters from the wall, you will understand which idea has captured the heart of the team.
4Flexibility in distribution of voting capital: One can put all his points on a critical idea or spread between options.

Conceptual Framework & Book Method Description

"Dot Voting" (also called Dot Democracy) is one of the most fundamental tools of modern methodologies such as Design Sprint and Agile. After the options are listed on the whiteboard or flipchart, the facilitator gives each member a certain number of colored sticky dots (usually 3-5 dots). The members come to the table in silence and stick their dots next to the desired options. A quick count of points immediately determines the group's definitive priorities.

Step-by-Step Real-World Implementation Scenario

Selection of the main programs of the company's annual celebration with point voting
1
Step 1: List all options on the whiteboard14 suggested ideas (music concert, cooking contest, travel raffle, family workshop, etc.) were listed on the whiteboard.
2
Step 2: Distribution of 3 colored dots to each memberEach representative was given 3 green dots and the rule was determined: each person can give a maximum of 2 dots to an option.
3
Step 3: Moving to the board and silent votingAll members came to the board at the same time and stuck their dots on the ideas within 5 minutes.
4
Step 4: Instant Point Counting and Heatmap DrawingThe two options 'Colleague Stand-up Comedy Competition' (16 points) and 'Family Desert Tour Raffle' (14 points) were decisively first.
5
Step 5: Announcing the Decision and Acting AgileThe decision was passed without the least annoyance or sense of bias, and the committee immediately allocated funds to the two programs.

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Previous Play (#97)
The Screening Matrix for Ideas
Next Play (#99)
How-How Diagram
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