Bull's Eye Diagram

Purpose

The Bull’s Eye Diagram is an intuitive prioritization tool that uses a concentric-ring target to place items by importance. The centre represents the highest priority (must-have), the next ring is important (should-have), and the outer rings are nice-to-have or out-of-scope. Its visual simplicity makes it fast and engaging.

At a glance

• Group size: 3–15
• Duration: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Facilitation style: Collaborative placement with discussion
• Setting: In-person or virtual

How to run

1. Draw the target (1 min). Draw 3–4 concentric circles on a large surface. Label from centre outward: Must Have, Should Have, Nice to Have, Out of Scope (or Won’t Do).
2. List the items (3 min). Write each idea, feature, or task on a sticky note.
3. Place items (10 min). One by one, place items on the target. Discuss briefly where each belongs. Encourage debate but limit to 1 minute per item.
4. Review the picture (4 min). Step back and evaluate: Is the centre overcrowded? Are the right things at the core?
5. Commit (2 min). Agree on the centre ring as the priority for the current iteration or quarter.

Materials needed

• Large paper with concentric circles or digital template
• Sticky notes with items written on them
• Markers

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Everything in the centre. If most items end up as ‘must-have’, the exercise hasn’t done its job. Force a limit.
• Placement without discussion. The conversation about where something belongs is more valuable than the placement itself.
• Confusing urgency with importance. A bull’s eye ranks importance, not deadlines.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Read each item and its proposed ring aloud.
• Use high-contrast ring labels.
• Allow remote participants to suggest placements verbally.

Variations

• MoSCoW Bull’s Eye: Use the rings as Must, Should, Could, Won’t directly.
• Stakeholder Bull’s Eye: Place stakeholders by proximity to the project core.
• Personal Bull’s Eye: Individuals prioritize their own tasks or goals.

When NOT to use this

• When items have complex interdependencies that a simple ring placement cannot capture.
• When fewer than 5 items need prioritizing — a discussion is faster.

Source & further reading

• Gray, D., Brown, S., & Macanufo, J. (2010). *Gamestorming.* O’Reilly Media.
• Clegg, D. & Barker, R. (1994). *Case Method Fast-Track: A RAD Approach.* Addison-Wesley.