Decision Making
Make better decisions faster by using structured frameworks while knowing when to trust your intuition.
The Framework
Good decisions follow a repeatable process that reduces bias and increases clarity.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Define the Decision
- What exactly are you deciding?
- What's the deadline?
- Is this reversible or irreversible?
2. Gather Information
- What do you know?
- What do you need to know?
- Who has relevant experience?
3. Generate Options
- List at least 3 distinct options (never just 2)
- Include "do nothing" as an option
- Consider wild card options
4. Evaluate Options
- List pros and cons for each
- Weight factors by importance
- Consider second-order effects
5. Decide and Commit
- Set a decision deadline
- Make the call
- Document your reasoning
6. Review and Learn
- Schedule a review date
- Compare outcome to expectations
- Update your mental models
Decision Matrix Template
| Option | Pros | Cons | Risk Level | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | ||||
| B | ||||
| C |
Rules of Thumb
- For reversible decisions, decide fast and iterate
- For irreversible decisions, slow down and gather more data
- 70% confidence is often enough to proceed