These tools are often used with affinity grouping and influence diagrams to show connections. To decide what is most important to address, find a fair, open way to rank items and apply it consistently. Do a reality check with decisionmakers to ensure that priorities match what is needed and doable. You'll need to tailor tools and uses to your process. The objective with the highest value thus becomes the most important item, and so on.
Focus groups Let small groups negotiate priorities.
Report each group's answers. If results differ, you may need to analyze the reasons for rankings before hammering out an agreement. This is especially effective if you can get various groups, including opposition groups represented in the same room. Focusing on the largest part of the problem that can be addressed with the smallest amount of effort will help ensure that objectives are effective. Pie charts show relationships between parts of a whole.