Decision Templates by Use Case

How to Use These

Each template follows the formula: Verb + Subject + Context

Copy the title into Decision Desk. Add your specifics. Assign an owner and deadline. Done.

Hiring & Staffing

• Approve offer for [Role] at [Comp level]

• Confirm interview panel for [Role] by [Date]

• Assign hiring manager for [Department] backfill

• Choose between [Candidate A] and [Candidate B] for [Role]

• Define must-have requirements for [Role] before posting

• Set headcount plan for [Team] in [Quarter]

Budget & Spend

• Authorize [Amount] for [Project/Vendor]

• Approve Q[X] budget for [Team/Initiative]

• Set spending guardrails for [Category] (max [Amount])

• Choose payment terms for [Vendor] (net 30 vs net 60)

• Confirm renewal of [Tool/Contract] at [Price]

• Prioritize budget allocation between [A] and [B]

Vendor & Tools

• Choose vendor for [Project] (A vs B vs C)

• Approve [Tool] for team-wide rollout

• Confirm contract terms with [Vendor] before signing

• Set evaluation criteria for [Category] tools

• Authorize pilot of [Tool] with [Team] for [Duration]

• Define success metrics for [Vendor] engagement

Product & Roadmap

• Prioritize top 3 features for [Quarter/Release]

• Approve spec for [Feature] to move to development

• Choose launch date for [Feature] (Option A vs B)

• Align on scope for [Project] MVP

• Confirm go/no-go for [Release] by [Date]

• Defer [Feature] to [Future Quarter] — document why

• Set success metrics for [Launch/Feature]

Operations & Process

• Confirm owner for [Process/Workflow]

• Approve new [Policy] effective [Date]

• Set SLA for [Process] at [Timeframe]

• Choose between [Process A] and [Process B] for [Use case]

• Assign on-call rotation for [Team] starting [Date]

• Define escalation path for [Issue type]

Meetings & Events

• Choose venue for [Event] (A vs B)

• Confirm agenda for [Meeting] by [Date]

• Set date for [Offsite/All-hands] in [Month]

• Approve budget for [Event] at [Amount]

• Assign organizer for [Recurring meeting]

Strategy & Planning

• Align on [Quarter] OKRs before [Date]

• Confirm company priorities for [Year/Half]

• Choose market to enter next: [A] vs [B]

• Approve partnership with [Company] for [Purpose]

• Set pricing for [Product/Tier] at [Amount]

• Define success criteria for [Initiative]

The Pattern

Notice every template starts with a verb and names something specific. No template says "Discuss pricing" or "Think about vendors." Those aren't decisions — they're conversations.

If your decision doesn't fit a template, build your own: pick a verb from the Decision Writing Guide, name the specific subject, add the constraint.