Why do you need a decision log?
Decisions are made in all kinds of settings: meetings, on email, spreadsheets, chatter etc. From our experience:
- it is hard to remember what was decided
- why the decision was made and by whom
- decisions take too long, and the executions fails
- decisions don’t involve the right people and lack of accountability
Sounds familiar? Let’s figure out how we can turn this situation around with a simple decision-making habit.
Record every decision – make it a new habit!
Much of the time, people proceed by routine and habit. Recording every decision you make is a simple and fast habit to adopt but could be transformational to your team and its performance.
The power of recording decisions is real, as we have seen it happening time after time over the past 10 years we have been helping companies across all industries improve decision making and succeed. Execution and effectiveness improve, as teams react faster. This also means that everybody knows what has been decided and why, and what they need to do for the execution. Work becomes easier, and it improves your team’s alignment and engagement, as well as grows the We can do it attitude among team.
What is a Decision Log?
Executives, managers, leaders and teams make a lot of decisions all the time. Decisions were made in meetings, some were noted in documents, some in the comments, some discussed on Teams etc. What is common between these? Impossible to track.
So how do you keep track of everything you have agreed on? A decision log helps.
A decisions log is simply a list of all the key decisions being made which are shared with you and every person affected by the decision. The decision log is better than keeping discussions on email, chatter or in spreadsheets. Keep track of status of all decisions and the information about why the decisions were made, and by whom all from a single place – in one glance. No more wasting time on documentation.
How to make a good decision and how long it takes?
Fingertip’s scientifically proven decision lifecycle is a beneficial communication tool to assure the right people are included all the way through the decision-making process – from discussion to its execution. Your colleagues can give input in minutes cutting delays and unnecessary meetings.
How do I record a good decision? Making a decision is as simple as it sounds.
It involves spending a few minutes to write down these 5 key points, and then sharing the decision with everyone affected:
- Title
- Decision: Write down what the decision is about. The most important reasons for your decisions, including impacts on your business goals.
- Due date
- Choose the people affected
- Share
Just a couple of weeks of recording decisions you will notice how often your decisions used to fall through the cracks. When the execution and results come in you can easily find the original decision including objectives and tasks assigned. This helps to measure if the goal was achieved. Otherwise, it’s very difficult, if the context for the decision is lost by that time.
In other words, everyone can see the final decision, people involved and the results. The more decisions you make the faster you learn the results of your decisions.
Challenge
There’s an often-quoted rule of thumb that says it takes 21 days to change a habit. I would like to challenge you to record your team’s decisions for the next 21 days. Get started today by downloading our free Fingertip decision log template below. I would love to hear what happens!
Frequently asked questions:
- How can I create and maintain a decision log for my team or organization?
A decision log is a record of decisions that lead to a choice you make during a project. It can be created using project management software, templates, or simply a notepad. The log should include details such as the decision description, decision maker, rationale, date, and impact assessment. It’s crucial to capture all relevant details that provide context and clarity. The log should be regularly updated and made accessible to all relevant stakeholders. - What are some best practices or tips for using a decision log effectively?
Each decision recorded in the log should ideally be the result of thorough research, counseling from the team, and historic data. The log serves as a communication tool that delivers supporting information to stakeholders. It’s important to include all pertinent information in the log, such as the details of the situation, the options the team considered, and the group’s reasons for choosing the winning solution. The log should be the one source of truth, accessible to all, and easy to share with stakeholders. - How can I use Fingertip to facilitate decision making and documentation?
Fingertip gathers all the phases of decision making into one process in Microsoft Teams. You can write a problem statement, propose, decide, and execute. It allows you to use the Responsible role to gather the right stakeholders together. Fingertip helps you document decisions, create an audit trail, and allow transparency with purpose. It also enables you to solve many types of problems flexibly with a documented, agile method.
Submit your email address below and receive a free decision log template for Excel!