Score each opportunity
Use a simple 1–5 scale for:- business impact;
- feasibility;
- implementation effort;
- data readiness;
- technical complexity;
- change complexity;
- risk;
- time to value;
- strategic importance;
- dependency on other work.
Classify the backlog
Quick wins
High value, relatively low complexity, limited dependencies.Strategic initiatives
High potential value but meaningful implementation, governance or change requirements.Prerequisites
Data, integration, process or governance work needed before a larger opportunity becomes viable.Low priority
Limited value, weak evidence or poor economics.Add confidence
For important assumptions, record whether confidence is:- high — directly supported by evidence;
- medium — plausible but requires validation;
- low — early hypothesis.
Choose the first project
The first implementation should usually combine:- clear value;
- understandable scope;
- reasonable delivery risk;
- visible executive relevance;
- a path to proving the wider methodology.
Consultant talk track
We are not recommending that you pursue every opportunity. We would start with X because the evidence is strongest, the expected value is meaningful and the implementation path is comparatively contained. Y is attractive, but it depends on prerequisite work first.