How do you shortlist ideas without rewarding the strongest presenter?
Choose criteria first and compare proposals using the same information. Mark missing evidence as unknown instead of treating confidence or votes as feasibility.
Use a few goal-relevant criteria
For a small sharing event, assess whether an idea addresses the question, fits available resources and has a workable first step. Avoid vague labels such as great potential. Do not change standards afterwards to favor a preferred proposal.
Separate exclusion from investigation
A hard constraint may rule an idea out; an unconfirmed venue calls for checking. Record the selected proposal's reason and next action without declaring alternatives worthless.
A worksheet you can use
Goal: __. Criterion one: __. Criterion two: __. Hard constraint: __. Unknowns: __. Choice and next step: __.
Can we vote?
Yes, to understand preference. Voting cannot verify demand, resources or execution capability.
Evidence and scope
This small decision aid does not convert judgment into an objective success probability.
IDEO.org discusses group ideation. WKND arrangements are editorial, not endorsed. IDEO.org Design Kit — Brainstorm
Sources and further reading
This collection in Chinese and English · Life possibilities library
