methodatlas
Decision Making

RAPID

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by delimiting the decision, assigning RAPID roles, and documenting the decision and action steps.

Core question
Which decision does the Decider make based on recommendation, Agreer approval and Performer feasibility?
MediumWorkshop + async45-90 min
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify options, criteria, and risks concretely. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a RAPID Role Map, Recommendation, and Decision Log.

How it works

The team follows the steps: define the decision, assign RAPID roles, clarify input and agreement points, create a recommendation, and document decision and action steps. Each step is captured visibly. In the end, a RAPID Role Map, Recommendation, and Decision Log are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

RAPID · Decision Roles (Bain)Assign Recommend, Agree, Perform, Input, and Decide so recommendation, decision, and execution remain clearly separated
RAPIDThe visual shows the RAPID roles Input, Agree, Recommend, Decide, and Perform as a decision flow.Separate recommendation, agreement, decision, and executionRAPID reduces decision gridlock by giving each role in the decision flow a distinct task.scoperecommendationdecisionexecutionDecisionpricing changeIInputprovides data andperspectivesAAgreemust agree or clarifyconcernsRRecommendcreates therecommendationDDecidemakes the finalchoicePPerformimplements thedecision

Flow

  1. 1Define the decision
  2. 2Assign RAPID roles
  3. 3Clarify input and agreement points
  4. 4Create recommendation
  5. 5Document decision and action steps

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Management Decisions
  • Operating Model Design
  • Cross-team Governance

Not good for

  • Small everyday decisions
  • Teams without role clarity

Deep dive

In detail

RAPID follows a clear working logic: define the decision, assign RAPID roles, clarify input and agreement points, create a recommendation, and document decision and action steps. This turns the method into a visible thinking process instead of only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options to a shared structure. As a result, a RAPID Role Map, Recommendation, and Decision Log support decisions, learning, and further planning.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 45 to 90 minutes with 3 to 12 people and use the format in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation needs structure; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions are helpful.

Output artifacts
RAPID Role MapRecommendationDecision Log
Tags
decisionrolesgovernanceoperating model

Sources

RAPID Decision Framework | Think Insightsthinkinsights.net
Artifact templates
RAPID Working TemplateCompact working template for RAPID with role clarity, recommendation, agreement points, and decision log.
canvas

rapid-working-template.md

Compact working template for RAPID with role clarity, recommendation, agreement points, and decision log.

RAPID Working Template

Goal

Clarify who recommends, agrees, performs, inputs, and decides.

Context

What decision needs to be made, and why now?

Input

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

Working area

  • Recommend:
  • Agree:
  • Perform:
  • Input:
  • Decide:

Output artifacts

  • RAPID role map:
  • Recommendation:
  • Decision log:

Open questions

  • ...

Decision / next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

DACI

Statt RAPID, wenn ihr eine Entscheidung mit klaren Kriterien, Risiken oder Konsequenzen sauber herleiten wollt.

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Statt RAPID, wenn ihr eine Entscheidung mit klaren Kriterien, Risiken oder Konsequenzen sauber herleiten wollt.

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