# Scoring Calibration Reference

Use this table when scoring ideas in Phase 3. Each factor has concrete benchmarks for 10, 5, and 1.

| Factor | 10 (Exceptional) | 5 (Decent) | 1 (Weak) |
|--------|-------------------|------------|----------|
| **Pain Point** | Reddit threads with 500+ upvotes complaining about this exact problem | People mention it occasionally; annoying but they've found workarounds | Nobody complains; "nice to have" |
| **Blue Ocean** | Zero results on GitHub, Product Hunt, or any directory | 2-3 small projects exist but none have traction (<50 stars, abandoned) | Multiple well-maintained tools with active communities |
| **"I Need This"** | You stop mid-research to think "wait, I actually want this for myself" | You can see why some people would use it | You have to explain why someone would want this |
| **Useful in 60s** | `npx tool-name` and it works. No config, no signup, no API key. | Quick setup (clone, install, add one config) then it works | Requires accounts, API keys, database setup, or multi-step config |
| **Catchy Name** | The name IS the pitch. Hear it once = understand + remember. ("Shazam", "Tinder") | Descriptive and clear but forgettable ("recipe-meal-planner") | Generic, confusing, or taken ("utils", "helper", "my-tool") |
| **Trend Alignment** | Directly enabled by something launched this month; impossible 6 months ago | Relates to a broad ongoing trend (AI, remote work, creator economy) | No trend connection; could have been built 5 years ago |
| **Shareability** | Produces output so good/funny/surprising people MUST share it. Screenshot-bait. | Useful output you might mention to a friend | Correct but boring output nobody would share |
| **Moat** | Network effects, unique dataset, or "standard" status in a niche | First-mover advantage in an uncrowded space | Pure code anyone could clone in a weekend |
| **Build Feasibility** | Single file, no dependencies, works in 2 hours | Weekend project, few dependencies, clear architecture | Needs infrastructure, multiple services, complex integrations |