1. Method Name

Dot Voting (Point Voting)

2. Alternative Names

Dotmocracy, Sticker Voting

3. Brief Description

Dot Voting is a simple and quick method for prioritizing ideas or items within a group. Each participant receives a limited number of votes (usually in the form of dots or stickers), which they can assign to the options they prefer.

4. Purpose / When to Use

It is used at the end of a brainstorming session or other creative activity to quickly narrow down a large number of ideas to the few most promising ones that the team will focus on next. It is a tool for reaching a quick consensus.

5. Procedure / How to Apply It

1. Display the options: All ideas or options must be clearly written down and visible to everyone (e.g., on a flip chart or whiteboard).
2. Distribute votes: Each participant receives the same, limited number of dots (e.g., 3–5).
3. Explain the rules: Specify whether people can assign multiple dots to a single option or whether they must use each dot for a different option.
4. Vote: Participants approach the board and place their stickers next to the options they prefer. Voting is usually done publicly.
5. Count and prioritize: Count the stickers next to each option and create a final, prioritized list.

6. A Real-World Example

After brainstorming ideas for a name for the new product, the team has 20 ideas on the whiteboard. Each of the 5 team members gets 3 points. After voting, it’s clear that 3 names received significantly more votes than the others. The team decides to continue working only with these three favorites.

7. Benefits

- Extremely fast and simple
.- Democratic and transparent
.- Highly engaging and visual
.- Effectively helps focus the discussion on the most important points.

8. Risks / Limits

- It can lead to a false consensus: The result may not reflect the actual discussion or the strength of the arguments
.- "Bandwagon effect": People may be influenced by where others place their dots, especially if voting is done sequentially.
- Vote splitting: A good but controversial idea may receive fewer votes than an average but uncontroversial idea
.- Does not show “why”: The result says nothing about the reasons why people voted the way they did.

9. Practical Tips

- Use it as a "straw man": The voting results don't have to be the final decision, but rather a starting point for further, more in-depth discussion about the top choices.
- Consider a silent vote: Have people write down their choices on a slip of paper first to reduce peer influence.
- Number of votes: A good rule of thumb is to give each person a number of votes equal to about 1/3 of the total number of options.