Slow decisions kill velocity. Most delays come from unclear criteria - people generate evidence hoping it persuades someone, somewhere. Make the logic visible and most decisions move off your plate. --- ## The Template **Decision type:** [Name it - e.g., "Feature prioritisation", "Hiring final-round candidates", "Pricing exception requests"] **Decision owner:** [Who has the call - not a committee] **Criteria (rank by weight):** 1. **[Criterion name]** - [What good looks like] - [Weight: e.g., 40%] 2. **[Criterion name]** - [What good looks like] - [Weight: e.g., 30%] 3. **[Criterion name]** - [What good looks like] - [Weight: e.g., 20%] 4. **[Criterion name]** - [What good looks like] - [Weight: e.g., 10%] **Threshold:** [Minimum score to proceed, or forced ranking if capacity-constrained] **Override conditions:** [When you'd ignore the rubric - make it explicit] **Review cadence:** [When you'll revisit the criteria - quarterly/after 10 decisions/etc.] --- ## Example: Feature Prioritisation **Decision type:** Feature requests for next quarter **Decision owner:** Product Lead **Criteria:** 1. **Revenue impact** - Clear path to new revenue or retention of at-risk revenue - 40% 2. **Strategic alignment** - Moves us toward ICP or away from low-value segments - 30% 3. **Execution confidence** - Team has done similar before; dependencies are controllable - 20% 4. **Competitive urgency** - Customers are choosing competitors because we lack this - 10% **Threshold:** Must score 70%+ to make the cut. If capacity-constrained, forced rank and cut below capacity line. **Override conditions:** - Regulatory/compliance requirement (non-negotiable) - Exec commitment already made (honour it, then fix the process) **Review cadence:** Quarterly - after each planning cycle, check if criteria still reflect strategy --- ## How to use this Pick a recurring decision type. Write down the criteria you actually use - not what sounds good, what actually tips your decision. Weight them. Share the rubric. Let teams self-score before they come to you. Track overrides. If you're constantly ignoring the rubric, either fix it or admit you're deciding on gut. Proposals will come pre-scored. Debates shift from "convince the boss" to "challenge the criteria". Most decisions move off your plate. --- **Related:** [[Notes/Hidden Bottleneck|Hidden Bottleneck]] · [[Notes/Decision Architecture|Decision Architecture]]