Bulls Eye Diagram Add/remove

Purpose:

A bull’s eye diagram helps a group prioritise problems or ideas by placing them from essential (centre) to less important (edge). It is a quick way to make trade-offs visible, reduce long lists, and agree what to focus on next.

Use this method when you have many inputs (from research, brainstorming, surveys, etc.) and need to choose a small set to move forward with.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with Download template (pdf)

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

Move

If participants can not move or control movements, make sure to have a partner to spar with that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members.
Ability to see

See

If participants are unable to see, make sure to have a partner to spar with that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members.The participants should though still explain their own thoughts and participate equally to not feel excluded.

Speak

If participants are unable to speak, sign language or other symbol language could be used if an interpreter is present. If not, the steps can be done in writing form. Make sure all ideas/problems have a written explanation.

Hear

If participants are unable to speak, sign language or other symbol language could be used if an interpreter is present. If not, the steps can be done in writing form. Make sure all ideas/problems have a written explanation.

Overview

Input

Problems/ideas

Output

Essential problems/ideas

Complexity

Simple

Time

15-25 mins

Participants

min. 2

Activity

Core abilities:

  • Judgement and prioritisation

  • Explaining reasoning

  • Reaching consensus and making trade-offs

Step by step:

  1. Choose a criteria to prioritise ideas or problems by by, for example:

      • High impact for users

      • High frequency (happens often)

      • High urgency

      • Strong learning value (critical to test next)

  2. Each person places one or more post-its on the bull’s eye. The closer to the centre, the more essential they believe it is.

  3. Go around and let each person briefly explain the reason for the placement of the post-it(s). Keep it short.

  4. Move items as needed. The group needs to reach consensus about the placement of all ideas/problems.

    Agree on the final centre (and optionally the next ring). These become your focus area for the next phase.

When doing this method you should consider:

  • Fewer things are essential than you think. If the centre is crowded, it is not doing its job.

  • Do not mix levels of detail. If one post-it is broad (“Accessibility”) and another is specific (“No shade near benches”), rewrite them to the same level before prioritising.

  • The method works best when you prioritise using clear criteria, not general opinions.

  • Expect movement. The value is in the conversation that happens when people disagree.

Materials needed:

  • Bull’s eye template (printed or digital)

  • Post-its (or digital sticky notes)