Dot Voting
Dot voting gives each person a small number of votes to spend on the options, so a group can prioritise fairly and quickly.
Also called dotmocracy or sticker voting.
Beginner◷ 10–20 minFree · no login
A few dots each. Spend them on what matters most.
How to use it + an example
How to use it
- 1Put all the options where everyone can see them.
- 2Give each person three to five dots to place, stacking them if they feel strongly.
- 3Discuss the top options before deciding — the vote starts the conversation, it doesn't end it.
Example
A service-project team with twelve ideas for a fundraiser uses dot voting to narrow to three before planning.
When to use it: When a team or class needs to narrow many ideas down to a few (MYP Design Criterion B).
Test: Try it. Find what breaks. Fix it.
Your turn ↓
What are you voting on?
Everyone gets the same few dots. Spend them on the ideas you believe in most, then see where they land.
Name the decision this vote settles — which concept to prototype, which problem to tackle first. It becomes the heading everyone sees.
Each voter gets 3 dots. Up to 2 can go on one option, so a favourite can’t take the whole vote.
List the ideas or designs being voted on, at least two. Enter adds one; click an option’s words to change them.
Enter to add
Add at least two options to start voting.
Look back. Did the votes match what you expected? What does that tell you?
Try next
- PMI ChartEvaluate ideas by listing Plus, Minus, and Interesting points.Try it free →
- Decision MatrixScore options against weighted criteria to make informed choices.Try it free →
- Pairwise ComparisonCompare options head-to-head in pairs to find the best.Try it free →
For teachers: Test stage · 10-20m. Free, no login. One of the 45 design thinking tools on StudioLoom, which also puts them inside lessons so students’ thinking is saved with their project.