Toppriority

Toppriority is a project management framework and set of practices designed to help teams determine which work items should be addressed first. It provides a structured approach to prioritization that links daily tasks to strategic objectives and customer value.

Core concepts include explicit criteria, such as value, effort, risk, urgency, and dependencies; a scoring system to compare items; regular prioritization sessions; and public backlog transparency. Items move through a living backlog that reflects shifting business needs rather than fixed plans.

A typical Toppriority workflow uses a quantitative scoring model. Teams assign scores across criteria, compute a composite priority, and categorize items as High, Medium, or Low. Some teams adapt alternative formulas inspired by Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) or Impact-Effort analyses. The approach emphasizes frequent re-evaluation, cross-functional input, and alignment with roadmaps and strategic goals.

Implementation and tooling often integrate Toppriority into existing backlog management systems, with custom fields for value, effort, and risk, along with dashboards and planning ceremonies. It is widely used in agile and lean environments to support sprint planning, release planning, and portfolio coordination.

History and reception: Toppriority emerged among agile and lean communities as a practical method for disciplined prioritization. It is not a formal standard, and organizations adapt it to their context. Critics warn that scoring can be subjective and that governance is required to prevent backlog bloat or misalignment.

See also: backlog management, prioritization, WSJF, MoSCoW, agile product management.