methodatlas
Session Builder

Plan my session

Plan a concrete work block with agenda, roles, preparation, and a copyable result artifact.

Method session30-60 min workshop, plus async lead-inWorkshop or asyncDACI Matrix

Session: DACI

The plan translates the method into a concrete facilitated work block. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Method session with 2-10. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward DACI Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Phase 1: Assign roles

    5-10 min prep

    Set roles by name. Ensure exactly one Approver, one Driver, 2-5 Contributors, and an Informed list. Hint: Multiple approvers means no decision. If undecidable, escalate; decision is at the wrong level.

    FacilitatorDACI Matrix
  2. 2

    Phase 2: Driver prepares

    1-5 days

    Prepare decision doc with question, 2-4 options, pros/cons, recommendation. Contributors read and comment async with at least 48h prep lead time. Hint: Driver writes clear recommendation, not just options. "I'm neutral" means the preparatory job was not done.

    FacilitatorDecision Owner
  3. 3

    Phase 3: Workshop or decision meeting

    30-60 min

    Driver presents recommendation. Contributors bring pre-comments into 15-20 minute discussion. Approver asks clarifying questions. Hint: The session is not for defining the problem from scratch. If someone has not read the doc, they cannot contribute comments. Discipline drives efficiency.

    FacilitatorDecision Log
  4. 4

    Phase 4: Approver decides

    5-15 min

    Approver states decision with reasoning. Add dissent note if needed (contributors who disagree with short argument). Hint: Disagree and commit: contributors may dissent, but once decided they commit to implementation. Dissent note protects diversity.

    FacilitatorDACI Matrix
  5. 5

    Phase 5: Documentation and communication

    1-2 business days

    Driver finalizes doc and sends communication to Informed (often channel or mail). Record follow-up actions with owner and date. Hint: Without communication to Informed, decision spreads by rumor. Set channel and format in advance.

    OwnerDecision Owner
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerDACI Matrix
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: DACI

Goal

Artifact: DACI Matrix

Working Question

What decision does the Approver make based on Driver preparation and Contributor input, and who gets informed when and by whom?

Context

Decision question as one sentence; relevant data, constraints, assumptions; known options or solution spaces; deadline and consequence of no decision; comparable prior decisions (ADRs).

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 30-60 min workshop, plus async lead-in
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: Driver (drives the decision and collects input); Approver (single person with final decision authority); Contributors (provide input, max 3-5); Informed (kept updated after decision); optional facilitator for complex decisions.
  • Owner: Driver (drives the decision and collects input)
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward DACI Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Decision doc template (Notion, Confluence) with sections Driver, Approver, Contributors, Informed, decision question, options, recommendation, decision, follow-up actions; shared area for pre-comments; timer.

Preparation

Create decision doc, assign roles with names rather than function labels (not "engineering" but specific people). Open doc at least 48h before meeting for pre-comments.

Agenda

  1. Phase 1: Assign roles (5-10 min prep) Owner: Facilitator Action: Set roles by name. Ensure exactly one Approver, one Driver, 2-5 Contributors, and an Informed list. Hint: Multiple approvers means no decision. If undecidable, escalate; decision is at the wrong level. Output: DACI Matrix

  2. Phase 2: Driver prepares (1-5 days) Owner: Facilitator Action: Prepare decision doc with question, 2-4 options, pros/cons, recommendation. Contributors read and comment async with at least 48h prep lead time. Hint: Driver writes clear recommendation, not just options. "I'm neutral" means the preparatory job was not done. Output: Decision Owner

  3. Phase 3: Workshop or decision meeting (30-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Driver presents recommendation. Contributors bring pre-comments into 15-20 minute discussion. Approver asks clarifying questions. Hint: The session is not for defining the problem from scratch. If someone has not read the doc, they cannot contribute comments. Discipline drives efficiency. Output: Decision Log

  4. Phase 4: Approver decides (5-15 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Approver states decision with reasoning. Add dissent note if needed (contributors who disagree with short argument). Hint: Disagree and commit: contributors may dissent, but once decided they commit to implementation. Dissent note protects diversity. Output: DACI Matrix

  5. Phase 5: Documentation and communication (1-2 business days) Owner: Owner Action: Driver finalizes doc and sends communication to Informed (often channel or mail). Record follow-up actions with owner and date. Hint: Without communication to Informed, decision spreads by rumor. Set channel and format in advance. Output: Decision Owner

  6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: DACI Matrix

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: DACI Matrix
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

DACI Matrix: DACI

Working Question

What decision does the Approver make based on Driver preparation and Contributor input, and who gets informed when and by whom?

Context

Decision question as one sentence; relevant data, constraints, assumptions; known options or solution spaces; deadline and consequence of no decision; comparable prior decisions (ADRs).

Participants

  • Owner: Driver (drives the decision and collects input)
  • Participants: Driver (drives the decision and collects input); Approver (single person with final decision authority); Contributors (provide input, max 3-5); Informed (kept updated after decision); optional facilitator for complex decisions.

Input

Decision doc template (Notion, Confluence) with sections Driver, Approver, Contributors, Informed, decision question, options, recommendation, decision, follow-up actions; shared area for pre-comments; timer.

Template

DACI Working Template

Goal

Clarify who drives the decision, who approves it, who contributes, and who stays informed.

Context

What decision needs to be made, and why now?

Input

  • Decision question:
  • Stakeholders:
  • Constraints:
  • Facts and assumptions:

Working area

  • Driver:
  • Approver:
  • Contributors:
  • Informed:
  • Options:
  • Criteria:

Output artifacts

  • DACI matrix:
  • Decision log:
  • Follow-up actions:

Open questions

  • ...

Decision / next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

  • DACI Matrix is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

DACI Working Template

View templateCompact working template for DACI with roles, options, criteria, and decision log.
spreadsheet

daci-working-template.md

Compact working template for DACI with roles, options, criteria, and decision log.

DACI Working Template

Goal

Clarify who drives the decision, who approves it, who contributes, and who stays informed.

Context

What decision needs to be made, and why now?

Input

  • Decision question:
  • Stakeholders:
  • Constraints:
  • Facts and assumptions:

Working area

  • Driver:
  • Approver:
  • Contributors:
  • Informed:
  • Options:
  • Criteria:

Output artifacts

  • DACI matrix:
  • Decision log:
  • Follow-up actions:

Open questions

  • ...

Decision / next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits DACI Matrix.
  • Decision doc is immutable after decision; later revisions become a new entry linking to the old one and explaining status change.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet