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NUF Test

Typical duration:
20m

Score ideas on three simple criteria — New, Useful, Feasible — to quickly separate the promising from the impractical.

Purpose

The NUF Test is a rapid convergence tool that evaluates ideas against three criteria: Is it New? Is it Useful? Is it Feasible? Each idea receives a score on each dimension, providing a quick, structured way to compare and prioritize ideas without lengthy debate.

At a glance

  • Group size: 3–15
  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Facilitation style: Structured evaluation
  • Setting: In-person or virtual

How to run

  1. List the ideas (2 min). Write all candidate ideas on a visible board, numbered for reference.
  2. Explain the criteria (2 min).
  • N — New: Is this genuinely novel or just a rehash of something existing?
  • U — Useful: Does this address a real need or pain point?
  • F — Feasible: Can we realistically implement this with available resources?
  1. Individual scoring (8 min). Each participant silently scores each idea on a scale of 1–10 for N, U, and F.
  2. Tally and discuss (5 min). Sum or average the scores. Identify the top 3–5 ideas. Discuss any where scores diverge widely.
  3. Decide next steps (3 min). Agree which ideas move forward to prototyping, deeper analysis, or elimination.

Materials needed

  • Scoring sheets or a shared spreadsheet
  • The list of ideas on a visible board
  • Calculator or spreadsheet for tallying

Pitfalls & common mistakes

  • Anchoring on one criterion. Teams often over-weight Feasible and under-weight New. Remind them all three matter.
  • Using NUF on too few ideas. With fewer than 5 ideas, a simple discussion is faster.
  • Treating scores as absolute truth. NUF is a conversation starter, not a final verdict.

Inclusion & accessibility

  • Provide scoring sheets in large print.
  • Read each idea aloud before scoring for participants who cannot see the board.
  • Allow anonymous scoring to reduce social pressure.

Variations

  • Weighted NUF: Assign different weights to N, U, F depending on the project’s priorities.
  • NUF + Impact/Effort: Follow NUF with an Impact/Effort matrix for a two-stage filter.
  • Team NUF: Small groups score together and defend their ratings.

When NOT to use this

  • When you need deep technical or financial evaluation — NUF is a first-pass filter, not a business case.
  • When all ideas are too similar to differentiate on novelty.

Source & further reading

  • Gray, D., Brown, S., & Macanufo, J. (2010). *Gamestorming.* O’Reilly Media.
  • VanGundy, A. B. (1988). *Techniques of Structured Problem Solving.*

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NUF Test · GoodWorkshop