Dot voting
Each person spreads a limited number of dots (stickers or marks) among the displayed options; those with the most dots move on to the next phase.
What it’s for
Helps a group go from many options to a few quickly and visibly, without only the loudest voices deciding.
Key elements
Few dots
Having fewer dots than options forces you to choose.
Everyone at once
Voting silently and at the same time avoids copying what others do.
A signal, not a verdict
The dots show preferences; the decision is discussed afterward.
How it’s done
Display all the options in view.
Vote with a few dots, in silence.
Count and discuss the most voted ones.
Applications in design
When to use it
To narrow a brainstorm down to a few ideas when the group needs to keep moving.
Avoid
Voting in turns and in full view, because the first dots sway everyone else.
Don’t fall for it
The most voted is not necessarily the best: also review ideas with few votes but a lot of potential.
Connections
Builds on
Authors and works
- 1971
André Delbecq and Andrew Van de Ven
Proposed the nominal group technique, in which each person generates ideas silently, the ideas are shared, and they are prioritized with an individual vote.
- 2023
Kate Kaplan, Nielsen Norman Group
Describes three common problems with dot voting in design, including too many options and the influence of how others vote.
Sources
Original sources
- Delbecq, A. L., & Van de Ven, A. H. (1971). A group process model for problem identification and program planning. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 7(4), 466–492. View source: Delbecq, A. L., & Van de Ven, A. H. (1971)
Secondary sources
- Kaplan, K. (2023, November 15). Dot voting: 3 common problems [Video]. Nielsen Norman Group. View source: Kaplan, K. (2023, November 15)
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