A ranking criteria is a measure (e.g. estimated time for a return on investment) that can be expressed in discrete values (e.g. 1 year, 3 years, 5 years) against which requirements can be evaluated. The value of the measure determines the priority of the requirement. (see next task: Prioritise business requirements)

Consult with the client what kind of criteria are important to the client, consider what the scores of the requirement against the criteria means in terms of importance to the client.

The ranking criteria are captured in the Requirements Management Plan.