| name | tradeoff |
| description | Structured trade-off analysis — build/buy/borrow or option comparison with weighted scoring and a firm recommendation |
Skill: /tradeoff — Structured Trade-off Analysis
Trigger
User runs /tradeoff with a decision or options to compare.
Also triggers automatically during /review when a significant design choice is flagged.
Behavior
Run a build/buy/borrow or option-A vs option-B analysis using the format below.
Always include a recommended path with explicit reasoning — never leave it "up to you."
Flag any [ASSUMPTION] that would change the recommendation if false.
Output Format
Trade-off Analysis: [Decision Topic]
Decision deadline: [if known]
Key constraint: [cost / speed / control / compliance / team capability]
Options Matrix
| Criterion | Weight | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|---|
| Implementation speed | | | | |
| Operational complexity | | | | |
| Cost (build + run) | | | | |
| Vendor/lock-in risk | | | | |
| Team capability fit | | | | |
| Compliance/governance | | | | |
| Scalability ceiling | | | | |
| Weighted Score | | | | |
Weight scale: High=3, Med=2, Low=1
Score each option 1–5 per criterion, multiply by weight.
Recommendation
Go with: [Option X]
Reason: [2–3 sentences. Be direct.]
[ASSUMPTION] List assumptions that underpin this recommendation.
When to revisit this decision
[Trigger conditions that would make you reconsider — e.g., team grows past X, cost exceeds Y]