Tool 135: Point-Scoring Evaluation

AKA

Criteria Rating Form

Classification

Decision Making (DM)

Tool description

A point-scoring evaluation rates the importance, value, or preference of listed solutions, factors, or issues by the assignment of points to every alternative, not to exceed a team-set maximum of 100 or 1000 points of all listed alternatives. This rating system effectively supports a team's consensus decision-making effort.

Typical application

• To review and rate all listed alternatives.

• To select, by numerical rating, a team's preferred solution, factor, or issue.

• To team-rate the importance, value, or best option of a matrix of factors.

Problem-solving phase

	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
→	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

1	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
2	Engineering
	Project management
	Manufacturing
3	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
4	Customer/quality metrics
	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Selection Matrix

• Rating Matrix

• Ranking Matrix

• Weighted Voting

• Solution Matrix

after

• Problems Selection Matrix

• Project Prioritization Matrix

• Starbursting

• Run-It-By

• Different Point of View

Notes and key points

• When point-scoring, use a total of 100 or 1000 points for the distribution across problems, elements, conditions, factors, issues, or ideas.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The team facilitator reviews the process of point-scoring with the team.

• STEP 2 A point-scoring matrix is drawn on a flip chart or whiteboard. All factors are discussed and recorded in teh matrix. See example Company TQM and Employee Involvement Events.

• STEP 3 Next, the team decides on the maximum number of points to be distributed: 100 or 1000 points. In this example 100 points were distributed.

• STEP 4 The facilitator now guides the participants through the evaluation of each listed alternative and arrives at a team rating of points to be assigned to reach the preferred alternative.

• STEP 5 The point-scoring matrix is filled and all columns are added to show the highest total. This is the preferred alternative. In this example, 95 points reflect the team's choice.

• STEP 6 The matrix is checked for accuracy and dated.

Example of tool application