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Session Builder

Plan my session

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

Method session60-120 minWorkshop or asyncDecision Matrix

Session: Decision Matrix

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 2-8. 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 Decision Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Phase 1: Clarify options

    15 min

    Briefly present options, ensure all evaluators understand them equally. Record assumptions for each option. Hint: If options have different detail, align them before scoring. Otherwise the best-written option wins.

    FacilitatorDecision Matrix
  2. 2

    Phase 2: Criteria and weighting

    20 min

    Criteria per decision (3-7). For each criterion define what counts as good. Weighting (sum 100, or pairwise comparison). Hint: Too many criteria dilute quality. Maximal 7. If all criteria are equally important, the team has not prioritized.

    FacilitatorScoring Rationale
  3. 3

    Phase 3: Scoring

    30 min

    Each evaluator scores each option and criterion (1-5 or 1-10). Add brief rationale. Then calculate average or median per cell. Hint: Score anonymously or simultaneously to avoid anchoring effects. High variance means discussion is required.

    FacilitatorSelected Option
  4. 4

    Phase 4: Score and sensitivity

    20 min

    Calculate weighted score per option. Sensitivity: vary weights by ±10% and check whether top option stays stable. Hint: If recommendation flips with small weight changes, it is not robust. The decider must then set weights explicitly.

    FacilitatorDecision Matrix
  5. 5

    Phase 5: Decision and ADR

    15 min

    Decider announces decision with rationale. Write an ADR or decision note. Add follow-up actions with owner and due date. Hint: Decider may override the matrix (for example due to unmeasured factors), but must provide rationale. Otherwise the matrix loses credibility.

    OwnerScoring Rationale
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

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

    OwnerDecision Matrix
Usable artifact

Session Brief

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

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Decision Matrix

Goal

Artifact: Decision Matrix

Working Question

Which option achieves the highest weighted score, and which sensitivity cases influence the recommendation?

Context

Option descriptions; criteria list with per-criterion definitions; weighting approach; known preferences or objections.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 60-120 min
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: A decider with authority; 3-7 evaluators with relevant knowledge; one facilitator; one scribe; optionally a reviewer for consistency.
  • Owner: A decider with authority
  • 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 Decision Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Whiteboard, Miro, or table with rows for options and columns for criteria plus weighting; dot voting or digital voting; scoring scale (for example 1-5 or 1-10).

Preparation

Create matrix. Define and weight criteria (sum 100). Agree on scale (1-5 or 1-10). Rule: every score has short rationale.

Agenda

  1. Phase 1: Clarify options (15 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Briefly present options, ensure all evaluators understand them equally. Record assumptions for each option. Hint: If options have different detail, align them before scoring. Otherwise the best-written option wins. Output: Decision Matrix

  2. Phase 2: Criteria and weighting (20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Criteria per decision (3-7). For each criterion define what counts as good. Weighting (sum 100, or pairwise comparison). Hint: Too many criteria dilute quality. Maximal 7. If all criteria are equally important, the team has not prioritized. Output: Scoring Rationale

  3. Phase 3: Scoring (30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Each evaluator scores each option and criterion (1-5 or 1-10). Add brief rationale. Then calculate average or median per cell. Hint: Score anonymously or simultaneously to avoid anchoring effects. High variance means discussion is required. Output: Selected Option

  4. Phase 4: Score and sensitivity (20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Calculate weighted score per option. Sensitivity: vary weights by ±10% and check whether top option stays stable. Hint: If recommendation flips with small weight changes, it is not robust. The decider must then set weights explicitly. Output: Decision Matrix

  5. Phase 5: Decision and ADR (15 min) Owner: Owner Action: Decider announces decision with rationale. Write an ADR or decision note. Add follow-up actions with owner and due date. Hint: Decider may override the matrix (for example due to unmeasured factors), but must provide rationale. Otherwise the matrix loses credibility. Output: Scoring Rationale

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

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Decision 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

Decision Matrix: Decision Matrix

Working Question

Which option achieves the highest weighted score, and which sensitivity cases influence the recommendation?

Context

Option descriptions; criteria list with per-criterion definitions; weighting approach; known preferences or objections.

Participants

  • Owner: A decider with authority
  • Participants: A decider with authority; 3-7 evaluators with relevant knowledge; one facilitator; one scribe; optionally a reviewer for consistency.

Input

Whiteboard, Miro, or table with rows for options and columns for criteria plus weighting; dot voting or digital voting; scoring scale (for example 1-5 or 1-10).

Template

Trade-off Matrix: Decision

CriterionWeightOption AOption BOption C
Benefit30
Cost20
Risk20
Time-to-Learn15
Reversibility15

Accepted trade-offs

  • Option A accepts:
  • Option B accepts:
  • Option C accepts:

Recommendation

Which option is recommended and why?

Sensitivity

Which small change in weighting or assumption would flip the recommendation?

Completion Check

  • Decision 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

Trade-off Matrix

View templateMarkdown matrix for comparing options across competing criteria and accepted trade-offs.
markdown

trade-off-matrix-markdown.md

Markdown matrix for comparing options across competing criteria and accepted trade-offs.

Trade-off Matrix: Decision

CriterionWeightOption AOption BOption C
Benefit30
Cost20
Risk20
Time-to-Learn15
Reversibility15

Accepted trade-offs

  • Option A accepts:
  • Option B accepts:
  • Option C accepts:

Recommendation

Which option is recommended and why?

Sensitivity

Which small change in weighting or assumption would flip the recommendation?

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Decision Matrix.
  • Archive snapshot with date. If assumptions change, run a new matrix instead of overwriting. ADR references the matrix snapshot.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet