When to use it
Create a decision memo comparing options with tradeoffs and recommendation.
🤖 AI prompt
Decision Memo Prompt for Tradeoffs, Risks & Recommendation
By Omellody Editorial Team · Published · UpdatedGenerate a structured decision memo with options, criteria, weighted tradeoffs, risks, assumptions, dissent, and a clear recommendation.
Copy-ready prompt
{decision}{options}{criteria}
Write a decision memo for: {decision}
Options: {options}
Criteria: {criteria}
Include context, decision to make, comparison table, tradeoffs, risks, recommendation, reversible vs irreversible parts, and next steps.
Variables
| Variable | How to fill it |
|---|---|
| {decision} | Replace with your real decision. |
| {options} | Replace with your real options. |
| {criteria} | Replace with your real criteria. |
Quality checks
- Add real context before running the prompt.
- Ask for examples if the first answer is too generic.
- Verify facts, numbers, links, and sensitive advice.
Direct answer
Direct answer: paste the decision, options, must-have criteria, constraints, available evidence, deadline, and decision owner. Ask for a one-page memo with a weighted score table, key risks, assumptions to verify, dissenting view, and final recommendation.
Prompt variables that change the result
| Input | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Decision statement | Write the decision as one sentence: “Should we choose A, B, or C for X by date Y?” |
| Criteria weights | Assign weights to cost, speed, quality, risk, reversibility, customer impact, and strategic fit. |
| Evidence level | Label each claim as data, customer feedback, expert judgment, or assumption. |
| Reversibility | Ask whether the decision is one-way or two-way; reversible choices need a lighter process. |
Copy-ready example prompts
| Use case | Prompt starter |
|---|---|
| Software vendor choice | Create a decision memo comparing Vendor A, Vendor B, and building in-house. Criteria: implementation time 25%, total cost 25%, security 20%, user experience 15%, reversibility 15%. Include risks and recommendation. |
| Hiring plan | Create a decision memo on whether to hire a contractor, full-time specialist, or agency. Include assumptions, 30/60/90 day impact, hidden costs, and dissenting view. |
| Product scope cut | Create a decision memo deciding which two features to cut from a launch. Score customer value, engineering effort, revenue impact, dependency risk, and ability to add later. |
Quality formula
Use this formula before copying the output: specific context + constraints + output format + review checklist + human handoff. If any part is missing, the prompt is likely to produce generic content.
Related prompt tools
FAQ
What should a decision memo include?
A clear decision statement, options, criteria, evidence, tradeoff table, risks, assumptions, dissenting view, owner, deadline, and recommendation.
How do I avoid a biased recommendation?
Ask the model to write the strongest counterargument and list evidence that would change the recommendation.
Can I use this for legal, medical, or financial decisions?
Use it only as an organization aid. Get qualified professional advice for regulated or high-stakes decisions.
Source snapshot
Traffic Radar 2026-05-27 continued to surface AI prompt-generator demand. This Red Mode rescue upgraded an existing thin URL with original variables, examples, FAQ, JSON-LD, and safety checks; no external repository content was copied.