Decision-Making Process Checklist

Problem Definition

I have clearly defined the decision to be made

I have identified the key objectives and constraints

I have determined who needs to be involved in the decision

I have established a timeline for making the decision

I have clarified what a successful outcome looks like

Option Generation

I have generated multiple alternatives (at least 3-5 options)

I have included creative or non-obvious options

I have considered the “do nothing” or “delay decision” options

I have sought input from diverse perspectives

I have avoided prematurely narrowing down options

Decision Matrix Development

I have identified all relevant criteria for evaluating options

I have assigned appropriate weights to each criterion

I have created a consistent scoring scale (e.g., 1-5 or 1-10)

I have scored each option against each criterion

I have calculated weighted totals for each option

I have performed sensitivity analysis by adjusting weights

Cost-Benefit Analysis

I have identified all significant costs for each option

I have identified all potential benefits of each option

I have assigned monetary values where possible

I have calculated net benefit (benefits minus costs)

I have considered non-monetary factors qualitatively

I have accounted for the time value of money for long-term decisions

SWOT Analysis

I have identified internal strengths of each option

I have identified internal weaknesses of each option

I have identified external opportunities relevant to each option

I have identified external threats relevant to each option

I have analyzed how strengths can be leveraged and weaknesses addressed

I have considered how opportunities can be captured and threats mitigated

Eisenhower Matrix Application

I have categorized options or actions based on:

Important and Urgent (Do immediately)

Important but Not Urgent (Schedule time)

Urgent but Not Important (Delegate if possible)

Neither Urgent nor Important (Eliminate)

I have distinguished between urgency and importance

I have prioritized important items over merely urgent ones

Regret Minimization

I have projected myself into the future (e.g., 1, 5, 10 years)

For each option, I have asked: “Will I regret not taking this path?”

I have considered long-term consequences rather than just immediate outcomes

I have used this future perspective to inform my current decision

Pre-Mortem Analysis

I have imagined the decision has resulted in failure

I have worked backwards to identify what could have gone wrong

I have developed preventative measures for each potential failure point

I have incorporated these safeguards into my implementation plan

Rapid Prototyping Consideration

I have identified key assumptions underlying each option

I have designed small experiments to test these assumptions

I have considered how to implement quick, low-cost prototypes

I have planned how to gather data and feedback

I have determined how results will inform the final decision

Bias Mitigation

I have recognized potential cognitive biases affecting this decision

I have sought disconfirming evidence for my preferred option

I have considered the decision from multiple perspectives

I have used structured processes to reduce emotional influence

I have invited constructive criticism of my reasoning

Decision Documentation

I have clearly documented the decision-making process

I have recorded the options considered and criteria used

I have noted the rationale for the final decision

I have identified key assumptions underlying the decision

I have established how and when to review the decision’s effectiveness

Implementation Planning

I have developed a clear plan to implement the decision

I have assigned responsibilities for implementation tasks

I have established a timeline with milestones

I have identified potential obstacles and contingency plans

I have determined how to communicate the decision to stakeholders

Learning and Adaptation

I have established metrics to evaluate the decision’s outcomes

I have scheduled review points to assess effectiveness

I have created mechanisms to gather feedback

I have planned how to adapt if circumstances change

I have identified lessons for improving future decision processes

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