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#issue-evaluation

Criteria

A Criterion is a principle Board Users use to evaluate an Issue's priority. Each Criterion represents a different dimension (like value, effort, or risk) that helps you score and compare Issues systematically.

Prioritization framework with multiple criteria

Access Criteria settings​

You can access Criteria settings from the Backlog, Evaluation, or Matrix pages.

Pages with Criteria access

Click Criteria in the top right corner.

Criteria button location

Manage your framework​

Your Board displays the prioritization framework you selected when you created it. You can modify this framework:

  • Add custom Criteria
  • Unlink Criteria from the Board
  • Duplicate existing Criteria
  • Pick a new framework from the template library
  • Manage Criteria across Boards in Criteria Management

Create a Criterion​

  1. Click + Criterion.

    Add new Criterion button

  2. Type the Criterion name.

    Criterion name input

  3. Click + New to create the Criterion.

    Create new Criterion option

  4. Configure the Criterion properties: evaluation source, Criterion type, rating scale, and description.

    Criterion properties form

  5. Select the evaluation source:

    • Board Users - Users score Issues manually during Evaluation
    • Custom field - Scores sync from a custom field in your connected task tracker
    Evaluation source options

  6. Select the Criterion type: Value or Effort.

    Criterion type selection

    This setting determines where the Criterion appears in the Matrix and how it's calculated in formulas like Value Product divided by Effort and Value Sum divided by Effort. Learn more about formulas.

  7. (Optional) Check Ignore to exclude this Criterion from Total Score calculations. Learn more about ignoring Criteria.

    Ignore Criterion option

  8. Choose a scoring method for this Criterion: Range, Sequence, Percent, or Positive scale.

    Scoring method options

    Select from presets that include popular techniques like Fibonacci series.

    Rating scale presets

  9. Add a Criterion description to help teammates understand what they're evaluating, then click Save Criterion.

    Criterion description field

  10. Set the Weight to reflect how significant this Criterion is compared to others.

    You can use any positive or negative whole or fractional number. Don't use negative numbers for Effort Criteria if you're using the Value Product divided by Effort or Value Sum divided by Effort formula.

    Criterion weight setting

  11. Add Estimators who will score Issues using this Criterion.

    Estimators assignment

Use a template framework​

Instead of building your framework from scratch, pick one from the template library and customize it to your needs.

Template library

Learn more about prioritization templates.

  1. Make quick edits inline, or click Edit Criterion to access all properties.

    Edit Criterion option

  2. Click Duplicate to copy a Criterion's configuration to a new Criterion.

    Duplicate Criterion option

  3. Click Unlink to hide a Criterion from the framework without deleting it.

    Unlink Criterion option

Version history​

View all Criterion edits under History → Criteria backups. The most recent version of each configuration is kept indefinitely. All earlier versions are kept for 10 days.

Criteria backup history

You can restore previous versions at any time.

Restore backup option

What's next​

Now that you've set up your Criteria, configure the Total Score formula to calculate how Issues are ranked.

Formula selection

If you have questions, contact us via the chat in the bottom right corner.

Last updated: Jan 6, 2026