A fixed four-factor formula or a flexible custom matrix. Pick based on how unique your decision context is and how much setup the team can afford.
Last updated: 2026-04-01
Created by Sean McBride at Intercom, RICE scores each idea on Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. The formula fixes how those four factors combine.
Best for backlogs where Reach is a meaningful differentiator and you want a defensible default.
A custom matrix where you pick the criteria, assign weights, and score each item against each criterion. Common criteria: revenue, strategic alignment, customer pain, dependencies, risk.
Best for portfolio decisions, cross-functional initiatives, and teams whose strategy doesn't fit a generic framework.
RICE = (Reach x Impact x Confidence%) / EffortUse a shared Reach period. Impact is a 0.25 to 3 multiplier. Enter Confidence as a decimal, such as 0.8 for 80%. Effort is in person-months.
Weighted score = sum of (criterion score x criterion weight)Define criteria, weights, and a shared scale such as 1 to 5 or 1 to 10. Make higher scores mean better outcomes for every criterion.
| Criteria | RICE | Weighted Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Fixed: Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort | Custom: pick what matters to your strategy |
| Weights | Implicit in the formula | Explicit, set by the team |
| Setup time | Agree the rubrics before scoring | Agree criteria, scales, and weights before scoring |
| Best fit | Comparable features in the same product area | Cross-functional bets, vendor decisions, OKRs |
| Comparability across teams | Requires shared units, periods, and rubrics | Low. Different criteria sets do not align |
| Risk of gaming | Reach and other inputs can still be inflated | Criteria or weights can be chosen to favor an item |
| Strategic flexibility | Limited. Same factors every quarter | High. Re-weight when strategy shifts |
| Backlog size | Can score a backlog in stages | Useful for a shortlist with several decision criteria |
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Use your own inputs to explore the calculations and compare results.
Yes, but label it as a modified method. Adding a factor does not automatically create a weighted sum. If you need several custom criteria with explicit weights, a weighted scoring matrix may be easier to explain.
Use RICE when reach and effort can be estimated consistently. Use weighted scoring when the decision depends on other criteria. A small backlog may need only a simple discussion or Impact/Effort matrix.
Start with a few distinct criteria, such as three to six. That is a practical starting point, not a statistical cutoff. Avoid counting the same benefit twice and test whether modest weight changes alter the ranking.
Only when teams use comparable Reach units and periods, Impact and Confidence rubrics, and Effort units. Agree these before comparing scores. A shared formula alone is not enough.
Yes. A team could screen a backlog of 50 to 100 items and compare 10 to 15 candidates against strategic criteria. Those counts are illustrative. Check that the initial screening does not discard work whose value RICE misses.