Decision-Maker Framework
Use this to calibrate the rigour, format, and speed of an analysis based on the type of decision it will inform.
Decision Types
Strategic Decision
Definition: Sets long-term direction, allocates significant resources, or is difficult to reverse.
Examples: Entering a new market, choosing a pricing model, major product roadmap pivot
Required rigour: High — statistical validity, sensitivity analysis, documented assumptions
Required speed: Low urgency — take the time to do it right
Typical audience tier: Executive (C-suite, Board)
Format: Formal report or presentation with full methodology section
Operational Decision
Definition: Optimises how existing processes run; moderate reversibility.
Examples: Setting SLA thresholds, adjusting a marketing budget allocation, changing a workflow
Required rigour: Medium — directionally correct is sufficient; perfect is the enemy of good
Required speed: Medium urgency — days, not weeks
Typical audience tier: Business analyst / domain lead
Format: One-page summary + supporting data
Tactical Decision
Definition: Day-to-day execution; highly reversible.
Examples: Which customer to prioritise in the CS queue, whether to send a specific campaign today
Required rigour: Low — fast is more valuable than thorough
Required speed: High urgency — hours, not days
Typical audience tier: Operational team
Format: Dashboard metric or single answer
Calibration Matrix
| Decision type | Acceptable uncertainty | Audience | Format | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic | Low (< 10%) | Executive | Report / slide deck | 1–2 weeks |
| Operational | Medium (20–30%) | Business lead | One-pager + data | 1–3 days |
| Tactical | High (±50% OK) | Operator | Number / flag | Hours |
Stakeholder Role Map
Understanding which role plays which part in a decision:
| Role | What they need from you |
|---|---|
| Decider | Bottom-line recommendation, confidence level, key risk |
| Approver | Enough detail to validate; needs to understand method |
| Influencer | Findings relevant to their domain; may shape the decision |
| Implementer | Specific, actionable outputs; granular data they can act on |
| Reviewer | Technical validity; reproducibility; comparison to prior work |
Ask at the start: "Who is the decider? Who needs to approve? Who will implement?"
Questions to Ask for Each Decision Type
For strategic decisions:
- What is the irreversible part of this decision?
- What would cause you to reverse course 6 months from now?
- What's the cost of being wrong?
- Who else needs to sign off?
For operational decisions:
- How often will this decision be revisited?
- What's good enough for you to act?
- Who owns the implementation?
For tactical decisions:
- What is the single number or flag you need?
- How will this be consumed (dashboard, alert, report)?
- What's the tolerance for being directionally right vs. precisely right?
Mismatched Rigour Costs
| Mismatch | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Over-rigorous for tactical decision | Wasted time; answer arrives too late to matter |
| Under-rigorous for strategic decision | Decision based on insufficient evidence; costly reversal |
| Wrong audience for the format | Executive confused by detail; analyst can't validate from summary |