Client Selection & Prioritization — Scoring Matrix

{ "Title": "Client Selection & Prioritization — Scoring Matrix", "IntroductionHtml": "

Use this scoring matrix to choose clients who generate profit and low friction for a one‑person or very small business. Score each axis from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Adjust weights to reflect what matters most to you. Save results so you can compare opportunities, track decisions, and learn which types of clients are best for your time and goals.

How the score works

Weighted score = (score × weight) summed across axes. Weights are numeric and can be any positive number; the form does not require them to add to 100 — the relative proportions matter. Example default weights assume revenue is most important for many freelancers; adjust if your priorities differ.

Quick templates

Polite decline

"Thank you so much for thinking of me for this project. After reviewing the scope, it's not the best fit for my current focus. I don't want to take on work I can't do justice. If you'd like, I can recommend someone who might be a great match."

Referral / warm handoff

"I think this could be a great fit for [Name/Company]. They specialize in [relevant area] and usually have availability. If you’d like, I can introduce you by email and share the project outline."

Below you'll find fields to record a score, notes, a decision, and next steps. Save each assessment to build an organizational memory of which client types are worth pursuing.

", "SubmitLabel": "Save assessment", "SuccessMessage": "Assessment saved. Use the Notes and Decision fields to record next steps or follow‑ups.", "DataType": "client_selection_scoring", "SchemaVersion": 1, "Fields": [ { "Key": "client_name", "Label": "Client / Opportunity Name", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "A short name or identifier for the client or opportunity.", "Required": true }, { "Key": "context", "Label": "Short context / project description", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "One or two sentences describing the work, timeline, and any special constraints.", "Required": false }, { "Key": "revenue_potential", "Label": "Revenue potential", "FieldType": "scale", "HelpText": "How much revenue could this client generate relative to others? (1 = very low, 5 = very high)", "Required": true, "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "Value": 3 }, { "Key": "strategic_value", "Label": "Strategic value", "FieldType": "scale", "HelpText": "Does this client open other opportunities, provide a strong portfolio example, or align with long‑term goals?", "Required": true, "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "Value": 2 }, { "Key": "ease_of_delivery", "Label": "Ease of delivery", "FieldType": "scale", "HelpText": "How straightforward will the work be to deliver given your skills, time, and existing processes? (1 = very hard/fragile, 5 = easy/repeatable)", "Required": true, "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "Value": 3 }, { "Key": "payment_reliability", "Label": "Payment reliability", "FieldType": "scale", "HelpText": "How likely is this client to pay on time and in full? (1 = unreliable / high risk, 5 = reliably timely)", "Required": true, "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "Value": 3 }, { "Key": "life_fit", "Label": "Fit with life design", "FieldType": "scale", "HelpText": "Does this work respect your hours, location, values, and personal goals? (1 = poor fit, 5 = excellent fit)", "Required": true, "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "Value": 3 }, { "Key": "weight_revenue", "Label": "Weight: Revenue", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Relative weight for revenue (higher = more important). Default: 40.", "Value": 40 }, { "Key": "weight_strategic", "Label": "Weight: Strategic value", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Relative weight for strategic value. Default: 20.", "Value": 20 }, { "Key": "weight_ease", "Label": "Weight: Ease of delivery", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Relative weight for ease of delivery. Default: 15.", "Value": 15 }, { "Key": "weight_payment", "Label": "Weight: Payment reliability", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Relative weight for payment reliability. Default: 15.", "Value": 15 }, { "Key": "weight_life", "Label": "Weight: Fit with life design", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Relative weight for life fit. Default: 10.", "Value": 10 }, { "Key": "calculated_score", "Label": "Weighted score (manual entry or paste computed result)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Compute: ((revenue_potential*weight_revenue) + (strategic_value*weight_strategic) + (ease_of_delivery*weight_ease) + (payment_reliability*weight_payment) + (life_fit*weight_life)) / (weight_revenue+weight_strategic+weight_ease+weight_payment+weight_life). Paste the resulting number here for easy sorting and comparison. (Future platform enhancements may compute this automatically.)", "Value": null }, { "Key": "decision", "Label": "Recommended decision", "FieldType": "select", "HelpText": "A quick disposition based on the score and your judgment.", "Options": [ { "Value": "accept", "Label": "Accept / proceed" }, { "Value": "negotiate", "Label": "Negotiate terms / price" }, { "Value": "defer", "Label": "Defer / revisit later" }, { "Value": "decline", "Label": "Decline politely" }, { "Value": "refer", "Label": "Refer to someone else" } ], "Value": "accept" }, { "Key": "notes", "Label": "Notes & next steps", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Capture reasons for your decision, negotiation points, or names of referrals to introduce.", "Required": false } ] }