Ranked-Choice Voting vs Stack Ranking: Understanding the Difference
Ranked-choice voting, instant-runoff voting, preferential ballots, Borda count, linear ranking—these terms get used interchangeably, but they produce very different results. If you are evaluating stack ranking for product or portfolio decisions, understanding the distinction saves you from misleading outcomes.
Ranked-Choice Voting in a Nutshell
Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is designed to elect a single winner. Voters rank candidates; if no candidate earns a majority of first-place votes, the lowest candidate is eliminated and their votes transfer to the next preference. Political scientists call this instant-runoff voting. It is powerful for elections, but less useful when you need a full priority order.
Related methods—Borda count, Condorcet methods, Schulze method—evaluate ordered preferences differently, yet all focus on identifying the best compromise winner, not delivering a sequential execution plan.
What Stack Ranking Delivers Instead
Stack ranking—also known as forced ranking, ordered prioritization, or sequential ranking—produces a full list from highest to lowest priority.
Every option receives an explicit position, creating a roadmap teams can execute without additional math or tie-breakers.
Stack ranking treats the entire order as the deliverable. Instead of collapsing preferences into a single victor, it keeps the entire ranked list intact—ideal for backlogs, hiring pipelines, vendor selection, or initiative planning.
Terminology Crosswalk
| Term | Alternate Names | Primary Outcome | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranked-Choice Voting | Instant-runoff, preferential voting | Single winner after vote transfers | Elections, picking one initiative |
| Borda Count | Point ranking, weighted preference | Weighted score for each option | Awards, competitions, committee votes |
| Stack Ranking | Forced ranking, ordered prioritization, linear ranking | Complete priority order, no ties | Roadmaps, resource allocation, hiring |
Choosing the Right Method for Your Team
- Do you need one winner? Use ranked-choice or other preferential voting systems.
- Do you need a detailed order? Use stack ranking / forced ranking for clarity.
- Do you need a weighted score? Borda count or scoring models can complement stack ranking.
Many organizations combine methods: run a preferential vote to check consensus, then complete a stack ranking session to build the execution plan. Terminology may vary—ordered ranking, sequential prioritization, forced order—but the outcome is the same: a transparent list that guides action.
Use StackRank to Manage the Entire Workflow
StackRank brings preferential voting and forced ranking into one collaborative workflow. Capture each stakeholder’s rankings, compare alternative counting methods, and publish the final ordered list instantly. Whether your team calls it stack ranking, forced choice, or linear ranking, StackRank makes the process smooth, auditable, and scalable.
Avoid decision gridlock. Deliver a prioritized roadmap every stakeholder can trust.
From Preferential Votes to Actionable Rankings
Use StackRank to capture ranked-choice input and publish the forced ranking order your team needs to execute.
Build Your Ranking Poll