What is Evidence-Based Prioritization?

Evidence-based prioritization is the practice of making initiative sequencing decisions using quantitative data, validated assumptions, and structured frameworks rather than subjective opinions, political influence, or the highest-paid person's opinion (HiPPO). It combines assessment data (where are our gaps?), scoring frameworks (RICE, value/feasibility), validated estimates (proof-of-concept results, industry benchmarks), and explicit criteria (agreed definitions of value and effort). The key principle is transparency: every prioritization decision should trace back to documented evidence that any stakeholder can examine and challenge. This replaces the 'trust me' culture of opinion-based prioritization with a 'show me' culture of evidence-based decision-making.