decision-memo

name	decision-memo
category	kumite-task
description	Produce a one-page decision memo: context, options, recommendation, risks, ask. Use when you need a leader to make or ratify a decision asynchronously. Triggers: "draft a decision memo", "we need a one-pager for X", async approval, exec ratification.

Decision Memo

The format that turns 30-minute meetings into 5-minute approvals.

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Quick Reference (the structure)

Section	Length	Purpose
Title	One line	Decision needed
TL;DR	≤40 words	Recommendation + why
Context	2–4 sentences	Why now
Options	3 max	Pros · cons · cost
Recommendation	One option	Why this one
Risks & mitigations	3 max	Top risks + mitigation
Ask	One line	What you need + by when

When to Use

• Async decision needed from an exec or sponsor.
• Decision worth recording (will be referenced later).
• Trade-off where options need to be visible before the choice.

How to Use

Standard structure (Copilot will follow it if you name it):

TITLE — <decision needed>
TL;DR (≤40 words): recommendation + why
Context: <2–4 sentences>
Options: <3 max, each with pros / cons / cost>
Recommendation: <which option, why>
Risks & mitigations: <3 max>
Ask: <what you need from the reader, by when>

Cap at one page. If it doesn't fit, the options aren't sharp enough.

Examples

Don't: Memo failure	Do: Memo success
"Let me know your thoughts."	"Ask: approve option B by Fri 11/14 EOD."
Two options where one is a strawman	Three real options with honest trade-offs
Recommendation buried after 3 pages	TL;DR on line 1; recommendation in TL;DR
Risks: "execution risk, market risk"	Risks: "vendor lock-in (mitigation: 2-year exit clause)"

Critical Rules

• One page. No exceptions. If it doesn't fit, the options aren't sharp.
• Recommendation in the TL;DR. Don't make the reader hunt.
• Three options max, all real. Strawmen erode trust.
• Ask is specific and timed. "Approve by Friday EOD" beats "thoughts?"
• Risks have mitigations. Naked risks are noise.

Common Pitfalls

• Two-option memos where one option is a strawman.
• Recommendations buried after three pages of context.
• "Let me know your thoughts" — non-ask.
• Risks listed without mitigations.
• Cost stated for one option but not others.

Anti-Patterns

• Two-option memos where one option is a strawman.
• Recommendations buried after three pages of context.
• "Let me know your thoughts." Specify the decision you need.
• Memo > 1 page.

Verify Before Sending

• One page (count it).
• TL;DR has the recommendation.
• Three options, each with pros / cons / cost.
• Risks have mitigations.
• Ask names the action and the by-when.
• Decision-maker named.
• Sources cited for cost / risk figures.

Related

• research-synthesis, meeting-prep
• word-authoring, confluence-connector
• verify-before-send, shipping-the-deliverable