How pmtoolkit Thinks About Frameworks

A framework makes the criteria and assumptions behind a decision easier to compare. The score is one input; product context still matters.

Check the inputs

For each estimate, record where it came from and how uncertain it is. Analytics can inform Reach, while interviews and tests can support Impact and Confidence. A precise score does not make an unsupported estimate more reliable.

Use judgment alongside the score

For close scores, compare learning value, dependencies, and strategic fit. A platform investment may enable other work that its standalone RICE score misses. Document why you depart from the ranking.

If you repeatedly override scores, review whether the framework and criteria suit the decisions you are making. There is no fixed override percentage that makes a framework invalid.

Benchmarks and examples

Published benchmarks need a source, a period, and a relevant comparison group. An illustrative example shows how the math works; it is not evidence of what is typical. See the SaaS benchmarks guide for sourced comparisons.

Keep the analysis useful

Use enough detail to clarify the decision. A scoring exercise can confirm an existing choice or reveal a different one. If discussion stalls on small rating differences, test whether those differences change the ranking before spending more time on them.

When to use another approach

  • For a short list, a direct discussion may be enough.
  • If the goal is unclear, define it before scoring.
  • For a strategic bet with little evidence, a decision memo can make assumptions and risks clearer than a score.
  • If one item must precede another, account for that dependency when choosing the order.

How to read these docs

Each framework doc follows the same shape:

  • When to use this / Limits: tradeoffs upfront, so you can skip the rest if it's the wrong tool.
  • Inputs: plain-English definitions of every variable.
  • The math: the formula, then one paragraph explaining it.
  • A worked example: numerical inputs, end to end.
  • In PM Toolkit: what our calculator adds on top of the textbook version.
  • Common mistakes: mistakes to check for.
  • Try it: live calculator, MCP tool name, and related docs.

Read the "Limits" section first. Use it to decide whether the framework suits your task.

Raw .md
All docs →