IDEATE
Narrowing Down Ideas
A practical way to move from many ideas to a few worth trying. It helps teams pause, make sense of everything they’ve generated, and agree on which ideas feel strongest to take a first step on, without over-analyzing or killing momentum.
Why Use this tool ?
Turn volume into direction.
After generating lots of ideas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck. This tool helps teams notice patterns, surface shared excitement, and make clear choices together. The goal isn’t to find the “perfect” idea, it’s to choose a small set that’s promising enough to explore further.
what you should know
Start With: A large set of ideas from brainstorming or ideation
End With: A short list of ideas to explore or prototype
Time Needed: 20–40 minutes
Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 – simple but requires alignment )
A quickguide to start
2. Cluster. Look for similarities between ideas and group them into themes. Some ideas may combine into something stronger.
3. Discuss. As a core team, talk through what’s emerging. Share why certain ideas resonate or feel promising.
4. Decide. Choose a small number of ideas to move forward with. Listen to input, then make a clear call so the team can keep moving.
helpful tips
- You’re choosing what to try next, not what to commit to long-term.
- Don’t dismiss ideas just because they feel hard, prototyping can change that.
- Momentum matters more than precision at this stage.
ways to narrow down ideas
Use these lightweight methods when you want extra clarity while narrowing down ideas. You don’t need all of them, pick one that fits your context, time, and level of confidence.
This is not about finding “the best” idea, it’s about choosing what to try next with confidence.
Dot Voting (Heat Mapping)
When to use it
Use when you need a quick sense of which ideas stand out to the group. It can happen before or after clustering, early to surface gut reactions, or later to focus discussion once themes are clearer.
What it is
A fast, visual way for the group to signal which ideas stand out.
How to run it
- Give each person 3–5 dots.
- Vote silently on ideas that feel most promising.
- Notice where votes cluster (“hot spots”).
Example
From 50 ideas, 7 attract most votes → these move forward to discussion.
Impact vs. Effort Matrix
When to use it
When you want to balance ambition with practicality and spot quick wins.
What it is
A simple 2×2 grid mapping ideas by impact and effort.
How to run it
- Draw the grid (Impact ↑, Effort →).
- Place ideas where they belong.
- Focus first on high-impact, low-effort ideas.
Example
Two ideas become “do now,” one becomes a “big bet for later.”
Kill Criteria
When to use it
When idea volume is very high or constraints are strict (budget, policy, timing).
What it is
A quick filter using a few non-negotiables.
How to run it
- Define 2–3 must-haves.
- Rapidly screen ideas: fail = out.
- Capture “Yes, if…” adjustments when relevant.
Example
Ideas requiring banned data are removed; one survives with a condition.
Idea Scoring (Weighted Matrix)
When to use it
When you need a more defendable comparison (e.g., leadership alignment).
What it is
A simple scorecard that compares ideas across weighted criteria.
How to run it
- Choose 3–5 criteria and weights.
- Score each idea (1–5).
- Total scores and rank.
Example
Two ideas tie on desirability; feasibility breaks the tie.
RACU meets AI
Narrowing Down Ideas
How Can AI Make RACU Easier ?
AI can be your creative partner and research assistant, ready to help you move faster and think deeper at every step of the RACU process.
For each RACU tool, we’ll share a ready-to-use AI prompt. Just copy the prompt into your favorite AI tool (like ChatGPT or Copilot) and it will guide you through the method step by step.
The AI becomes your facilitator, asking the right questions so you can build your thinking as you go. No need to fill out a blank form, the prompt starts the conversation and adapts to your answers in real time.
PROMPT – COPILOT, CHAT GPT
Brainstorming Prompt – Start the Session Now
I want to run a brainstorming session as part of a design thinking project. I’ll share a problem, insight, or How Might We (HMW) question.
Your role is to be my creative thinking partner — help me sharpen the question if needed, then guide me through a fun, structured ideation process.
First, ask me:
“What are we brainstorming around today — a problem, insight, or HMW question?”
After I answer, do the following:
- If it’s a problem or insight → help me turn it into a focused HMW
- If it’s already a HMW → ask if I want to improve or reframe it
Then suggest 2–3 creative brainstorming techniques I could use, such as:
- SCAMPER (systematic idea-stretching)
- Analogies (steal from other industries)
- Change Perspectives (think like someone else)
- Worst Idea (flip the absurd into something great)
Briefly explain each one and ask which I want to try first.
Then guide me through the method step by step. Be proactive, suggest ideas, and co-create with me — don’t wait for me to give all the input.
Let’s get started.
Copilot
Chat GPT