decision-memo-writer

Decision Memo Writer

Use this skill to turn ambiguous product debate into a decision-ready memo.

Workflow

1. Identify decision owner, decision deadline, scope, stakeholders, and whether the decision is reversible.
2. Read references/decision-memo-systems.md.
3. Separate facts, assumptions, options, constraints, unknowns, risks, and values.
4. Compare options with evidence and second-order effects.
5. Recommend one path, define success metrics, and specify review/rollback triggers.

When not to use

• Do not use for a status update, meeting summary, brainstorm, or implementation plan when no material choice and accountable decision owner exist.
• Do not manufacture options merely to fill a template; if the decision is already made, record the decision and evidence boundary directly.

Guardrails

• Do not present a brainstorm as a decision memo.
• Do not hide weak evidence, unresolved assumptions, or stakeholder tradeoffs.
• Do not force consensus when the memo needs a named accountable decision.

Output format

Decision:
Owner/deadline:
Recommendation:

Context:
Options considered:
- <option> -> benefits, costs, risks, evidence

Decision rationale:
Assumptions to validate:
Risks and mitigations:
Success metrics:
Follow-up / revisit trigger: