THERMAL MAP DYNAMICS
A thermal map is a very useful method for collectively prioritising a large number of ideas. It is particularly valuable in workshops or improvement initiatives, when it is necessary to select ideas from a list that is too long to tackle without prior prioritisation.
OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING
This technique for collective selection and prioritisation enables the organisation of a proposal list, and can be used when it is necessary to prioritise a set of ideas on a qualitative basis.
In this exercise, we will learn which ideas to focus on, how to prioritise topics, and how to identify the most important areas to work on as a team.
STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION
For the exercise to be truly effective, it is essential that all ideas are presented in the same format. Only by presenting them in a consistent manner is it possible to subsequently assess and prioritise them:
- Select the criteria or concepts to be voted on. Write each concept on a large sheet of paper, or use a standard format for presenting each of these concepts.
- Ensure that everyone on the team has the same understanding of each concept. If necessary, group concepts by similarity to prevent votes from being split.
- Give each team member a limited number of votes (usually between three and five).
- Determine the voting criteria.
- Explain the voting rules: whether participants can vote for their own ideas, cast multiple votes for the same idea, etc.
- Voting shall take place in silence.
Once the voting has concluded, the thermal map is examined, showing all the points corresponding to the votes cast. Concepts that received no votes are discarded, and a shortlist of those that received the most support is selected. This shortlist will then be examined in greater detail and subjected to a more in-depth analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
A thermal map is a simple yet highly effective exercise for collectively prioritising a set of proposals. To get started, it is essential to first define the format for presenting ideas: this could be as simple as a Post-it note or as elaborate as a project charter, but all proposals must be presented in a consistent manner. This consistency is key to ensuring that the evaluation is based on the content of the proposal and not on the quality of its presentation or the person presenting it.
The evaluation phase takes place in silence, following a ‘museum visit’ format. Each participant has a limited number of votes and assesses the proposals on display individually, without discussion or further explanation. This minimises the influence of the person proposing the idea on the proposal itself.
Once the voting has concluded, the highest-rated proposals are shared with the team, in this case accompanied by a brief oral presentation. Based on these presentations, a decision is made on how to proceed: to explore one of the proposals in greater depth, to combine solutions, or to select several to be developed in parallel.