# Write up a decision in one minute: checklist

Turn your notes from a discussion into a short decision record a person can read in about a minute, with what was decided, why, what was ruled out and why, who decided, and when to look at it again.

## Before you start

- [ ] Have ready: The question that was settled
  One line on what the group had to decide.
- [ ] Have ready: Notes from the discussion
  Paste your notes in any order. Include the options that came up, what people said about them, who decided and anything said about looking at it again.

## Step 1: List every option and how it came out

- [ ] Write down each option the notes mention, whether it was chosen or ruled out, and the reason the notes give.
- [ ] You have: A table of every option, with an outcome and the reason the notes give.
- [ ] Check: Every row of the table has one of "chosen", "ruled out" or "not clear" in the Outcome column.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 2: Pull out who decided, when, why and when to look again

- [ ] Find the four facts a record needs, each quoted from the notes, with a gap marked as a gap.
- [ ] You have: A four-row table of the facts a decision record needs, each quoted or marked Not stated.
- [ ] Check: Every quote in the Quote column appears word for word in the notes from the discussion.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 3: Write the one-minute record

- [ ] Put the decision, the reason, what was ruled out, when to look again and the gaps into a record short enough to read in a minute.
- [ ] You have: A decision record of 170 words or fewer that reads in about a minute.
- [ ] Check: The answer is no longer than 170 words.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Final checks

- [ ] Check: Every number in the answer also appears in the notes from the discussion.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: The answer includes the words "Ask the person who decided to confirm this before you file it.".
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Compare the record with the options table below. Is every option marked "ruled out" named in the record, each with the reason the table gives, and is every option marked "not clear" listed under "Not in the notes"? Answer FAIL and name each option that is missing or has a different reason.
  Checked by a second AI prompt. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Read the "Why" and "Ruled out" sections. Does any line give a reason the notes do not give, or name who decided, or give a date, when the notes do not? Answer FAIL and quote each line that does.
  Checked by a second AI prompt. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Show the record to the person who made the decision. Ask whether it says what they decided and why, and whether any ruled-out option is shown unfairly. Only they know what they meant.
  Checked by you. If not: Carry on, but write down the problem so whoever uses the result knows about it.

## You end up with

- [ ] A decision record that reads in about a minute, with what was decided, who decided it and when, and why.
- [ ] The options that were ruled out, each with its reason.
- [ ] When to look at the decision again, and what the notes leave open.

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From Logic Lab (logiclabhq.com). Free to use and adapt, with credit.