Decision Making Support

Why this matters

• Decision question: “Which feedback tool should we implement for the MVP within our 2-week window?”
• Define 4 criteria and weights that sum to 100%.
• List 3 tools (A, B, C). Score each 1–5 per criterion.
• Compute weighted totals and select a winner. Note assumptions and risks.

Exercise ex2 — Draft a 1-page decision brief

Scenario: Choose whether to build, buy, or defer a basic reporting module.

• Fill in: Problem, Context, Criteria, Options (Build/Buy/Defer), Comparison summary, Recommendation, Risks/Mitigations, Next steps.

Exercise checklist

• Decision sentence is unambiguous and time-bound.
• Criteria reflect outcomes, not solutions; weights total 100%.
• Options include a realistic “do nothing/defer” when applicable.
• Scores are evidence-backed or marked as assumptions.
• Rationale and risks are explicitly documented.

Common mistakes and how to self-check

• Vague decision question: If you can’t say it in one sentence, reframe.
• Too many criteria: Limit to 3–6 to avoid noise.
• Hidden weighting: Make weights explicit to prevent bias claims.
• Scoring without evidence: Annotate assumptions and plan validation.
• No “owner” of the decision: Assign a DRI (directly responsible individual).
• No follow-up: Add a review date or metric trigger.

Self-check prompts

• What would make us change this decision later? Define it now.
• Which criterion, if changed, would flip the outcome? Test sensitivity.
• Did we include the costs of delay/deferral?

Practical projects

• Project 1: Create a reusable decision log template and populate it with 5 recent team decisions.
• Project 2: Run a 45-minute decision workshop using a weighted matrix on a live prioritization topic. Capture before/after alignment.
• Project 3: Build a simple dashboard (sheet or doc) that tracks decisions, owners, and review dates, and send a monthly summary.

Take the Quick Test

The Quick Test is available to everyone. If you log in, your progress is saved so you can resume anytime.

Learning path

• Before this: Stakeholder mapping, requirements elicitation basics.
• This lesson: Framing decisions, criteria, evaluation, facilitation, documentation.
• After this: Risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis, roadmap prioritization, facilitation techniques.

Next steps

• Adopt the decision log for all cross-team choices this month.
• Practice by running one small and one medium decision workshop.
• Share your 1-page decision brief template with your team and request feedback.

Mini challenge

In 20 minutes, draft a decision brief for choosing between two integration approaches. Include: decision question, 4 criteria with weights, 2 options, a comparison, and a provisional recommendation. Time-box the scoring; list assumptions for later validation.