decision-doc

Decision Doc

Turn ambiguity into a structured decision. One page, clear options, explicit trade-offs, and a recommendation you can defend.

Process

1. Frame the decision. What exactly are we deciding? Why now? What happens if we do nothing?
2. Identify constraints. Time, budget, technical limitations, dependencies, organizational politics.
3. Generate options. 2-4 realistic options. Always include "do nothing" if it is viable. Each option must be genuinely different, not variations of the same idea.
4. Evaluate each option. Pros, cons, effort estimate, risk level, and reversibility.
5. Make a recommendation. Pick one. State why. Be explicit about what you are giving up.
6. Define next steps. If approved, what happens on Day 1?

Output Format

## Decision: [One-line framing of the decision]

### Context
[2-3 sentences. Why this decision matters now. What triggered it. What happens if we delay.]

### Constraints
- [Constraint 1]
- [Constraint 2]
- [Constraint 3]

### Options

#### Option A: [Name]
[1-2 sentence description]
- **Pros:** [list]
- **Cons:** [list]
- **Effort:** [T-shirt size + calendar time]
- **Risk:** [Low/Medium/High — one sentence why]

#### Option B: [Name]
[1-2 sentence description]
- **Pros:** [list]
- **Cons:** [list]
- **Effort:** [T-shirt size + calendar time]
- **Risk:** [Low/Medium/High — one sentence why]

#### Option C: [Name] (if applicable)
[same structure]

### Comparison
| Criteria | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| Speed to value | [fast/medium/slow] | ... | ... |
| User impact | [high/medium/low] | ... | ... |
| Effort | [S/M/L/XL] | ... | ... |
| Risk | [low/med/high] | ... | ... |
| Reversibility | [easy/hard] | ... | ... |

### Recommendation
**Go with Option [X].**
[2-3 sentences. Why this option wins. What specific factor tips the balance.]

### What We're Giving Up
[Be explicit. Every choice has a cost. Name it.]

### Reversibility
[Can we change course later? At what cost? By when does this become irreversible?]

### Next Steps (if approved)
1. [Action] — [Owner] — [By when]
2. [Action] — [Owner] — [By when]
3. [Action] — [Owner] — [By when]

Rules

• Always make a recommendation. A decision doc without a recommendation is just a menu. Take a position.
• "Do nothing" is a valid option. Include it when inaction is genuinely viable, and be honest about its costs.
• Pros and cons must be specific to the decision, not generic. "Faster time to market" is only a pro if you explain faster than what and why speed matters here.
• Never present more than 4 options. If there are more, you have not narrowed the problem enough.
• Reversibility is mandatory. Irreversible decisions deserve more analysis. Reversible ones deserve faster action.
• The "What We're Giving Up" section is non-negotiable. Decisions without acknowledged trade-offs are not real decisions.
• Keep it to one page. If the decision doc is longer than 2 pages, the decision is probably two decisions. Split it.
• If the input is too vague to generate meaningful options, ask clarifying questions. Do not fabricate context.