$100 Test

Purpose

The $100 Test (also known as Divide the Dollar) is a prioritization technique where each participant distributes a hypothetical $100 across a set of options. Unlike equal voting, the dollar format forces trade-offs and reveals intensity of preference — putting $50 on one item sends a stronger signal than spreading $10 across five.

At a glance

• Group size: 4–30
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Facilitation style: Individual allocation, group discussion
• Setting: In-person or virtual

How to run

1. List the options (2 min). Write 5–15 items to be prioritized on the board.
2. Distribute $100 (5 min). Each participant silently allocates their $100 across the items. They can put all $100 on one item or spread it however they choose. Minimum allocation is $5 per item (to avoid $1 noise).
3. Tally (3 min). Sum each item’s total allocation. Rank by total dollars received.
4. Discuss (5 min). Review the results. Discuss: Where is there consensus? Where are views split? Why did some items get concentrated bets?

Materials needed

• Option list on a visible board
• Allocation cards or a shared spreadsheet
• Calculator for tallying

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Equal spreading. If someone puts $10 on every item, they’re avoiding the trade-off. Encourage commitment.
• Anchoring on others. Do the allocation silently to prevent groupthink.
• Treating results as final. The $100 test is a conversation starter, not a binding decision.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Provide clear written instructions for the allocation.
• Allow anonymous allocation to reduce social pressure.
• Use a digital tool for remote participants to enter allocations simultaneously.

Variations

• $1000 Test: Higher resolution for distinguishing between many options.
• Time allocation: Replace dollars with hours — “You have 40 hours this week; where would you invest them?”
• Team $100: Each team gets $100 collectively and must agree on the allocation.

When NOT to use this

• When options are not comparable (e.g., mixing strategic goals with tactical tasks).
• When there are fewer than 5 options — a simple ranked vote works fine.

Source & further reading

• Lichtenstein, S. & Slovic, P. (2006). *The Construction of Preference.* Cambridge University Press.
• Gray, D., Brown, S., & Macanufo, J. (2010). *Gamestorming.* O’Reilly Media.