The RICE framework: Prioritization made simple

The RICE framework, developed by Sean McBride at Intercom, is a widely adopted prioritization tool in product management that evaluates ideas based on four key attributes: reach, impact, confidence, and effort. Reach assesses the number of users affected by a potential initiative, ensuring that decisions are not swayed by minority opinions. Impact measures the effect of an idea on a chosen goal, often using a scaled system to quantify this. Confidence accounts for the certainty in the estimates of reach, impact, and effort, influencing the final RICE score as it adjusts for uncertain predictions. Effort evaluates the resources required to implement the idea, using time-based estimates. The RICE score is calculated by multiplying reach, impact, and confidence, and dividing by effort, providing a single, objective score to aid in decision-making. While RICE is not intended to make decisions independently, it reduces biases and encourages data-driven approaches, helping teams prioritize initiatives effectively.