Copy these headings into your favourite app and fill them in. If you struggle to answer these questions clearly, that’s an important signal: you’re still upstream of a good decision and not ready to debate options yet.

1. The decision (in one sentence)

We are deciding whether to…

If you can’t write this in one clear sentence, that’s already useful data.

2. What problem are we really trying to solve?

Explain it in plain language, no jargon: If you had to explain it to a new joiner, what would you say?

3. Is this the real decision, or a proxy?

What might this really be about?

Note anything that feels “underneath” the official decision.

4. Success criteria (12–18 months from now)

We will consider this a good decision if (include both quantifiable goals and qualitative changes, such as culture-related shifts):

5. Non-negotiables vs Trade-offs