DECISION RECORD TEMPLATE

Capture the decision, the why, and the trade-offs — so it survives scrutiny, politics, and future memory gaps

Move from “we agreed something” to a clean record: context, options, rationale, risks, owners and review points. Protect credibility, reduce rework, and stop decisions being quietly rewritten later.

When to Use This Template

After a meeting where “something was agreed” but you want it unambiguous.
When decisions keep getting revisited, reframed, or quietly rewritten.
Before implementing something that affects scope, resourcing, risk, or reputation.
When you’re being asked to “just do it” without clarity on trade-offs.
Any time you want a calm paper trail that holds under scrutiny.

How to Use It (fast)

Write the decision statement in one sentence (clear enough to quote).
List options considered + why they were rejected (avoids hindsight blame).
State assumptions explicitly — then add a review trigger if they change.
Lock owners, next actions and a review date.
Send a recap: “If anything is incorrect, reply with amendments within 24 hours.”

Build your decision record

Four sections: (1) decision basics, (2) context + constraints, (3) options + rationale, (4) risks + alignment + next steps. Generate a clean Decision Record when you have enough to be specific and defendable.

Decision Impact Index

How costly is it if this decision is wrong or reversed? Used to shape risk + review.

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1 low 5 medium 10 high

My Playbook

Your Decision Record

A one-page record you can paste into notes, a risk lens (how this could be challenged), and copy-ready scripts to confirm the record in writing.

Record completeness

Record strength

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Capture the decision, the why, and the trade-offs — so it survives scrutiny, politics, and future memory gaps

When to Use This Template

How to Use It (fast)

Build your decision record

Your Decision Record

One-page decision record

Challenge points (how it could be attacked)

Scripts (confirm the record in writing)

My Playbook