Assign groups based on top choices?

[Oracle3109]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and have a question about assigning individuals to groups based on their stated top three choices.

Scenario: There are 15 people who need to be assigned to 8 groups. Each person is submitting their top 3 choices for groups, and each person will only be assigned to 1 group. What is the best way to evaluate in order to give the maximum # of people their top choice? I realize that since each group does not have a maximum or minimum size, theoretically everyone can get their top choice. But supposing that their was a limit on group size, is there a formulaic approach to evaluating?

Thanks