Decision Record — Blank Template

Use this template for a material decision. Keep the record concise, evidence-based and clear about ownership, conditions and review triggers. The Executive Playbook describes the method; this template puts it into practice.

Decision details

• Decision ID:
• Title:
• Status: Draft / For decision / Approved / Rejected / Deferred / Superseded
• Decision owner:
• Decision forum / authority:
• Date raised:
• Decision required by:
• Review trigger / date:

Context and intended outcome

• Problem or opportunity:
• Users / services affected:
• Strategic outcome:
• Baseline and target:
• Why a decision is needed now:

Options considered

Option	Description	Main advantages	Main disadvantages / constraints
A
B
C
Defer / do nothing

Evidence, assumptions and uncertainty

• Evidence available:
• Key assumptions:
• Evidence gaps / confidence:
• Mandatory obligations (if any):

Assessment

Criterion	Assessment / score	Evidence and confidence
Outcome contribution
Feasibility and readiness (including capacity)
Time to useful evidence
Lifecycle cost and affordability
Risk and dependency profile
Reversibility

• Options excluded and why:
• Cost, capacity and opportunity-cost implications:
• Risks and dependencies:

Recommendation and decision

• Recommendation:
• Rationale and trade-offs:
• Decision: Approve / Reject / Defer / Request further evidence
• Decision conditions:
• Dissenting or unresolved views:

Accountability and actions

Action	Accountable owner	Due date / trigger	Required evidence / output

• Executive sponsor:
• Portfolio authority (if applicable):
• Initiative lead (if applicable):
• Service owner (if applicable):
• Benefit owner (if applicable):
• Architecture / assurance authority (if applicable):

Review and outcome

• Review date / trigger:
• Evidence to be reviewed:
• Outcome: Continue / Change / Stop / Scale / Close
• Follow-up decision record or reference:

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