10 Free Decision Making & Matrix Templates in Excel & ClickUp

It’s one of the more complex models as you need to use a decision tree to get to the best option based on how you answer the questions and which style you choose. A project scope helps you plan and confirm your project’s goals, deliverables, https://www.bookstime.com/ features, functions, tasks, costs, and deadlines. A project manager and team should develop a project scope as early as possible, as it will directly influence both the schedule and cost of a project as it progresses.

A subset of these is listed on Wikipedia with a bit more explanation if you want to explore more.
At the other end of the spectrum, U originally trained E, and has considerably more time at the company than the other three.
Once the essential details of the meeting are entered, the meeting can begin and attendees can discuss what tasks need to be completed in order to make a decision.
You can hide/unhide the scores column so that you don’t use bias when making a decision.
The canvas combines agile methodologies with UX principles to help validate product solutions.

Free 75 Hard Challenge Templates

In a 2×2 matrix, input your priorities based on whether they must be completed with high or low urgency and are of high or low importance. Applicable to project management and personal management alike, use the Priority Matrix template to improve business processes, create efficiency, remove blockers, and reduce operational waste. Decision matrices can be used in many disciplines, from design to engineering, decision making framework and can also be a useful tool for making personal decisions. Having a manageable list of options and criteria is essential for harnessing the power of a decision matrix. So, if there are a lot of options, or if there is a high number of criteria, eliminate some choices and then use the matrix to reach a final decision. Below is an overview of some of the more well-known decision-making methods.

If you need a little more than a basic to-do list, then you’d probably benefit from a Priority Matrix.
Check out this helpful resource for a complete breakdown of the Vroom-Yetton decision-making model and a copy of the decision tree template you will need to use.
It helps in making complex decisions more manageable by providing a structured method for comparing different alternatives.
The checklist template includes fields for three action items, but this is easily customizable if you need more.
Tasks that fall into the Quick Wins quadrant should be prioritized as they offer significant benefits with minimal effort.
A decision matrix may not identify the perfect solution, but it will identify the best solution based on the available options.

Incorporating Empathy into Product Management

The Eisenhower Box helps you decide which tasks on a to-do list to perform immediately, schedule for later, delegate, or discard.
Each role has clearly defined expectations for the person or people occupying that position in the model.
The more you factor it into your decisions early on, the better prepared you’ll be to avoid, absorb, or mitigate the risks you encounter.
It allows for greater agility in evaluating criteria while still providing the capability for in-depth analysis.
DACI is often compared to RACI, another decision-making framework that stands for responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed.
In a 2×2 matrix, input your priorities based on whether they must be completed with high or low urgency and are of high or low importance.

For the sake of simplicity and the DACI model, it’s best to stick with a single Approver. Each role has clearly defined expectations for the person or people occupying that position in the model. By understanding what’s expected, communication and decisionmaking are streamlined as duplicated effort is largely eliminated.

Pugh Matrix Template

The best format is whatever people around you are most likely read and use. The world has faced numerous unexpected challenges and changes in the past few years. Business leaders have had to act fast and make decisions not just in an emergency but also in the wake of unprecedented events. This is an excellent example of where leaders can benefit from the Cynefin Framework. If a problem falls within the Chaotic quadrant, the initial challenge is to control the problem. Taking swift action to contain the issue and finding a rapid solution that’s ‘good enough’ is the priority.

Here we have covered several decision making tools that you can use during the different stages of decision making.
Document decision criteria, monitor progress, and assess outcomes with ClickUp’s Decision Log.
Also called multiple-criteria decision-making, this method is an operations research discipline that evaluates conflicting criteria in decision making.
With complicated problems, you generally have a sense of the questions that need to be answered.
The approver is ideally one person but, depending on the scope and complexity of the project or organization, it may be necessary to have multiple approvers.
A well-known method of generating ideas in a group setting, brainstorming encourages members to throw out ideas that are later winnowed down to a more focussed list.
When an emergency arises, it usually falls into the Chaotic section, and the Act – Sense – Respond format is followed.

Decision Tree template frequently asked questions

You might have to rely on other stakeholders for their input in making the decision, in which case it’s better to conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify who you should get help from. The criteria for evaluating these options are customer need, development cost (where a lower cost is better, so it’s scored in reverse), and business value. A lot goes into making good decisions, and the decision-making models we’ve covered in this article can serve as excellent tools for helping you find the best possible solution to any challenge. The rational decision-making model is best employed when you have numerous options to consider and plenty of time to evaluate them. One example of a scenario where this model might prove useful is choosing a new hire from a pool of candidates. Given that only 20% of team members say that their organization excels at decision-making, most organizations and team leaders have a lot of room to improve in this area.