Here are the slides from our Lean Software Atlanta Meetup @ Pivotal Labs' office in Ponce City Market, Tuesday, April 18th. Techniques for prioritization include dot-voting, flash-voting and using a 2x2 with logical axes to relatively map items against each other. Not everything can come first - only one can. Work together in your teams to help make those choices.

1. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Dot-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap

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4. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Today’s Techniques
● Brain dump-&-sort
● Flash-vote
● Dot-vote
● 2x2 Prioritization Board

5. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Weekday Office Commuters Season Ticket Holders for
Sporting Events
Problem:
Parking in Atlanta is difficult.
Who has the problem?
→ Atlanta drivers.

6. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives his Mercedes into Midtown for work daily
from OTP, doesn’t like to carpool, calculates gas mileage
every fillup, uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: save money, spend less time looking for parking,
spend more time making $$$ at the office and more time
being home with family, find spacious spots to keep his car
safe from other nearby spots
Julie, 31
Artist, Restaurant Server by night | Recently Engaged
Behaviors: tries to avoid Downtown except for United
games, loves walking to her community garden in Kirkwood,
gets confused easily with technology
Goals: get to the game quickly and easily, find free parking
close to the stadium, make sure her car is locked and in a
safe space

7. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives his Mercedes into Midtown for work daily from OTP, doesn’t like to
carpool, calculates gas mileage every fillup, uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: save money, spend less time looking for parking, spend more time making $$$
at the office and more time being home with family, find spacious spots to keep his car
safe from other nearby spots
Julie, 31
Artist, Restaurant Server by night | Recently Engaged
Behaviors: tries to avoid Downtown except for United games, loves walking to her
community garden in Kirkwood, gets confused easily with technology
Goals: get to the game quickly and easily, find free parking close to the stadium,
make sure her car is locked and in a safe space
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
not much
time btwn
work &
game
not familiar
with
Downtown
lots
hard to
find spots
that feel
safe
doesn’t
want to
pay
stadium
prices
needs
option to
leave car
overnight
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

8. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
In groups: talk about the problem space assigned to your table
and the personas of the people experiencing that problem.
On your own, brainstorm all of the problems both of those
people experience with the given problem space.
ONE per stickie!

9. Take your lowest priority ideas
Pass them to the person on your left….
Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap

10. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap

11. Share your remaining problems
& group similar ideas together.
Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap

12. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
We tried to answer the following questions:
● How quickly can we validate these assumed problems exist?
● Can we feasibly solve any of their problems with software?
● Will the persona use a software solution?
● Will there be actual business value with a software solution?
Our team decides we should start
by focusing on one persona.

13. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Julie, 31
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
not much
time btwn
work &
game
not familiar
with
Downtown
lots
hard to
find spots
that feel
safe
doesn’t
want to
pay
stadium
prices
needs
option to
leave car
overnight
Parking is a painful, frequent
problem for Bruce every weekday.
We can validate these problems
are real with surveys to enterprise
companies in the Midtown area.
He is already using mobile
applications on his phone during
his commute (Waze).
If we can solve some of his
problems, he may get to work
earlier and have more time and
money to spend with his family --
he will be happier and probably
pay for an app that will help!
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives his Mercedes into Midtown for work daily from
OTP, doesn’t like to carpool, calculates gas mileage every fillup,
uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: save money, spend less time looking for parking, spend
more time making $$$ at the office and more time being home
with family, find spacious spots to keep his car safe from other
nearby spots
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

14. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Julie, 31
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
not much
time btwn
work &
game
not familiar
with
Downtown
lots
hard to
find spots
that feel
safe
doesn’t
want to
pay
stadium
prices
needs
option to
leave car
overnight
Julie only travels Downtown for
Atlanta United Home games.
Parking may not be a consistent
problem for her if she mostly stays
in her area.
To validate these problem
assumptions, we can try to talk to
Braves, Falcons and Hawks fans.
We can’t help right now with the
pricing at the stadium, and safety
Downtown may be too big of a
problem for us to solve - and may
depend on what other events are
happening in the area.
She may not want to pay for a
mobile solution, since she rarely
uses her phone.
Artist, Restaurant Server by night | Recently Engaged
Behaviors: tries to avoid Downtown except for United
games, loves walking to her community garden in
Kirkwood, gets confused easily with technology
Goals: get to the game quickly and easily, find free
parking close to the stadium, makes sure her car is locked
and in a safe space

15. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives into Midtown for work daily from OTP, doesn’t like to carpool,
calculates gas mileage every fillup, uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: saving money, spending less time looking for parking, wants to spend more
time making $$$ at the office and more time being home with family
Julie, 31
Artist, Restaurant Server by night | Recently Engaged
Behaviors: tries to avoid Downtown except for United games, loves her community
garden in Kirkwood, gets confused easily with technology
Goals: get to the game quickly and easily, find free parking,
makes sure her car is locked and in a safe space
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
not much
time btwn
work &
game
not familiar
with
Downtown
lots
hard to
find spots
that feel
safe
doesn’t
want to
pay
stadium
prices
needs
option to
leave car
overnight
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

16. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Think about the following questions:
● How quickly can we validate these assumed problems exist?
● Can we feasibly solve any of their problems with software?
● Will the persona use a software solution?
● Will there be actual business value with a software solution?

17. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
After you discuss,
flash-vote!
“1, 2, 3... → Vote!”
If necessary,
discuss & vote again.

18. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives into Midtown for work daily from OTP, doesn’t like to carpool, calculates gas mileage every fillup, uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: saving money, spending less time looking for parking, wants to spend more time making $$$ at the office and more time being home with family
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

19. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Bruce, 43
Commuter working in Accounting & Sales | 2 Kids
Behaviors: drives into Midtown for work daily from OTP, doesn’t like to carpool, calculates gas mileage every fillup, uses Waze app to avoid heavy traffic
Goals: saving money, spending less time looking for parking, wants to spend more time making $$$ at the office and more time being home with family
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

20. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Individually, dot-vote
the top problems you think
are most painful for your persona.
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

21. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
As a group, review and identify the
problems with the most votes.
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

22. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

23. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

24. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

25. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely

26. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

27. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
Mildly
annoying
Excrutiatingly
painful
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

28. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
Mildly
annoying
Excrutiatingly
painful
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.

29. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
Mildly
annoying
Excrutiatingly
painful
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
never
carries
cash
meters

30. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
Mildly
annoying
Excrutiatingly
painful
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

31. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
often late
to work
due to
spot avail.
bigger
SUV spots
hard to
find
never
carries
cash
meters
often has
to park far
away &
walk
out-of-office
meetings
mean
parking 2+
times/day
Happens often
Happens rarely
Mildly
annoying
Excrutiatingly
painful
bigger
spots for
nice cars
hard to
find

32. Agenda
Mingle
Join a Table @ the Gong
Introduce Problems & Personas
Dump & Sort Problems
Flash-Vote (Persona)
Dot Vote (Problems)
Y-Axis Stack-Rank
X-Axis Spread
Quadrants
Recap
Recap of Techniques
● Brain dump-&-sort
○ Everyone’s opinions matter: loud voices = soft voices
○ Combining like-ideas helps themes emerge
○ Pass & tear - great ideas will come back!
● Flash-vote
○ Quick decision-making
○ Easier with fewer options
● Dot-vote
○ Helps to sort through many ideas
○ Encourages discussion
○ Repeatable
● 2x2 Prioritization Board
○ Uses logical axes to further prioritize
○ Helpful for laser-focusing

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