A compact document for presenting one decision, credible options, evidence, and a clear response protocol.
A named owner needs informed advice, consent, or approval and participants can examine evidence before the decision window closes.
The problem is still being discovered, credible options do not exist yet, or the issue requires confidential relationship repair.
DECISION PRE-READ — [Short decision title] DECISION QUESTION [State the exact choice.] Decision owner: [Name or role] Decision deadline: [Date, time, and time zone] Participant role: [Advise / consent / decide] Response requested: [Approve / object with reason / rank / comment] WHY NOW [What changed, and what happens if the decision waits?] FACTS AND CONSTRAINTS - Fact: [Verified input] - Assumption: [Uncertain input] - Constraint: [Cost, timing, policy, capacity, or technical limit] - Unknown: [Gap affecting confidence] OPTIONS A. [Option] — benefits: [...] — costs/risks: [...] — reversibility: [...] B. [Option] — benefits: [...] — costs/risks: [...] — reversibility: [...] RECOMMENDATION [Recommended option and why it best fits the stated criteria.] RESPONSE AND ESCALATION Respond in [location] by [deadline]. If [unresolved condition], the owner will convene [roles] for a [duration]-minute decision session. FINAL RECORD [Link or location where the decision and rationale will be published.]
Readers should understand what decision is required, who owns it, and how they should contribute before reading the background.
Compare credible options using the same dimensions. Label facts, assumptions, constraints, and unknowns so confidence is visible.
State a deadline, response format, escalation condition, and final record location. A pre-read without a protocol becomes passive documentation.
