RICE Score Framework
A prioritization framework developed by Intercom's product team that helps determine which features and initiatives to pursue by scoring them according to Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. The formula (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort measures total impact per time worked.
Last updated: 2026-03-14 20:34
Overview
The RICE scoring model is a prioritization framework designed to help product managers determine which products, features, and other initiatives to put on their roadmaps by scoring these items according to four factors. RICE was developed by the product team at Intercom who tried out some of the other popular product management frameworks and never felt that it matched their needs precisely.
The Four Components
Reach
Reach is defined as the number of people a particular product initiative will affect within a specific period of time. Reach is measured by the number of people or desired events over a specific period.
Impact
Impact measures how much this will impact each person, using a scale where:
- Massive = 3x
- High = 2x
- Medium = 1x
- Low = 0.5x
- Minimal = 0.25x
Confidence
Confidence represents how confident you are in your estimates, scored as:
- High = 100%
- Medium = 80%
- Low = 50%
To curb enthusiasm for exciting but ill-defined ideas, factor in your level of confidence about your estimates.
Effort
Effort measures how many "person-months" this will take, using whole numbers and minimum of half a month. Unlike the other positive factors, more effort is a bad thing, so it divides the total impact.
The RICE Formula
Formula: (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort
The resulting score measures "total impact per time worked" – exactly what we'd like to maximize.
Benefits
By using the RICE Score, product managers can see unbiased comparisons between projects, ensuring that resources are invested in initiatives that offer the greatest impact for the effort required. The framework helps teams make data-driven decisions about resource allocation and project prioritization.
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