Prioritization Funnel

---
name: prioritization-funnel
description: "Evaluate and prioritize opportunities through a structured filtering process. Use for resource allocation, strategic decision support, and project management."
---

# Prioritization Funnel

## Metadata
- **Name**: prioritization-funnel
- **Description**: Structured opportunity filtering and prioritization
- **Triggers**: prioritization, resource allocation, opportunity filtering, project ranking

## Instructions
Apply a multi-stage filtering process to prioritize opportunities or projects.

## Framework

### The Funnel Process

```
ALL OPPORTUNITIES (20-50 options)
          │
    STAGE 1: DEFINITION
    ↓ Apply 4 criteria filters
    (Narrow to 20-30)
          │
    STAGE 2: RAPID APPRAISAL
    ↓ Quick evaluation on key dimensions
    (Narrow to 5-15)
          │
    STAGE 3: FINANCIAL MODELLING
    ↓ Assess quantitative impact
    (Narrow to 3-7)
          │
    STAGE 4: DECISION MAKING
    ↓ Strategic evaluation
    (Select top 1-3)
```

### Stage 1: Definition Filters

| Criterion | Threshold | Pass Rate |
|-----------|-----------|----------|
| **Strategic Fit** | Must align | 60% pass |
| **Market Size** | Must exceed threshold | 50% pass |
| **Required Investment** | Within budget | 40% pass |
| **Time Horizon** | Meets window | 70% pass |
| **Resource Availability** | Feasible | 50% pass |

**Result:** [Opportunities passed to Stage 2]

### Stage 2: Rapid Appraisal

| Dimension | Weight | Scale (1-5) | Description |
|-----------|---------|------------|----------------|
| **Strategic Alignment** | 30% | [High/Med/Low] | Fit with goals |
| **Market Potential** | 25% | [H/M/L] | Growth opportunity |
| **Profitability Impact** | 20% | [H/M/L] | NPV or margin |
| **Implementation Ease** | 15% | [Easy/Med/Hard] | Feasibility |
| **Risk Level** | 10% | [H/M/L] | Project risk |
| **Score** | [Calculated total] |

**Result:** [Opportunities passed to Stage 3]

### Stage 3: Financial Modeling

| Opportunity | NPV | IRR | Payback | Sensitivity |
|------------|---------|---------|----------|------------|
| [Opportunity A] | $X M | Y% | Z years | Analysis |
| [Opportunity B] | $X M | Y% | Z years | Analysis |

**Result:** [Opportunities ranked for final decision]

### Stage 4: Final Selection

| Rank | Opportunity | Total Score | Key Differentiator |
|-------|---------|-----------------|--------------------|
| 1 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #1?] |
| 2 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #2?] |
| 3 | [Opportunity Name] | [Score] | [Why #3?] |

---

### Selected Opportunities

**Priority 1: [Opportunity Name]**
- **Action:** [Description]
- **Owner:** [Who's responsible]
- **Timeline:** [Start - completion]
- **Budget:** [Allocation]

**Priority 2: [Opportunity Name]**
- **Action:** [Description]
- **Owner:** [Who's responsible]
- **Timeline:** [Start - completion]
- **Budget:** [Allocation]

**Priority 3: [Opportunity Name]**
- **Action:** [Description]
- **Owner:** [Who's responsible]
- **Timeline:** [Start - completion]
- **Budget:** [Allocation]

---

### Resource Allocation

| Priority | Allocated Capital | % of Budget | Personnel | Timeline |
|----------|-----------------|-----------------|------------------|
| 1 | $X M | Y% | [Team lead] | Q1-Q2 |
| 2 | $Y M | Z% | [Team lead] | Q2-Q3 |
| 3 | $Z M | W% | [Team lead] | Q3-Q4 |
| **Hold** | $V M | V% | - | - |

### Governance

**Decision Authority:** [Who has final approval]
**Approval Process:** [Stage gate process]
**Review Timeline:** [When to review priorities]

---

### Monitoring

| Metric | Target | Actual | Variance | Action |
|--------|--------|---------|----------|----------|
| # of opportunities in funnel | 20 | 18 | 🔴 -10 | Reassess funnel |
| Average NPV of top 3 | $X M | $Y M | 🟢 +10% | Continue investment |
| Resource utilization | 90% | 75% | 🟡 -15% | Optimize capacity |

---

### Funnel Metrics

| Stage | Input | Pass Rate | Cycle Time |
|--------|--------|---------|-------------|
| Definition | 50 options | 60% | 1 week |
| Appraisal | 30 options | 50% | 2 days |
| Financial Modeling | 15 options | 33% | 1 week |
| Selection | 7 options | 100% | Decision made |

---

### Strategic Implications

**Portfolio Balance:**
- [Analysis of opportunity mix]

**Resource Constraints:**
- [Budget constraint analysis]
- [Capacity constraint analysis]
- [Timeline constraint analysis]

**Risk Factors:**
- [Over-prioritizing quick wins]
- [Under-prioritizing strategic opportunities]

## Tips

- Be transparent about scoring - make criteria explicit
- Use quantitative thresholds where possible
- Balance qualitative and quantitative factors
- Don't rush Stage 2 - financial modeling matters
- Consider resource constraints realistically
- Review funnel regularly - opportunities and conditions change
- Document decision rationale for accountability
- Use weighted scoring to reflect strategic priorities

## References

- Various project management and portfolio management sources
- McKinsey, BCG project management frameworks
- PMI prioritization methods
- Stage-gate process best practices