Business & Strategy
Decision Matrix: Compare Options with Weighted Scoring
For a team stuck comparing options, opened before the decision meeting and used until the call is made. The whiteboard holds a frame for the question and the scoring rules, a weighted matrix of options against criteria, a flow of the five steps that lead to the call, a quadrant for what to do when scores are close, and a frame for what to record afterward. The task board moves work from open questions through research and scoring into decided and handed off, and starts with four parent tasks - framing, setting criteria, scoring, and recording the call - each with its own subtasks.
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Use it when you've held meeting after meeting over the same three options with no decision, or when the loudest voice keeps winning. It's for anyone looking for how to build a decision matrix or run weighted scoring, and anyone who needs a documented case before final approval. It suits choices with roughly three options, like picking a tool, choosing in-house or outsourced, or ranking priorities.
In What Are We Deciding, settle the question, scoring rules, and the cost of not deciding. In the Weighted Scoring Matrix, put options in rows and criteria in columns, and write each score with its reasoning. Work The Five Steps to a Decision in order; when scores end up close, use When the Scores Are Close to pick more research or a small trial. Once decided, record the decision, trigger, and any dissent in What to Record Once You've Decided. The board runs Open Questions, Gathering Info, Scoring, Decided, Handed Off.
In week one, finish Pick four criteria and Split 10 weight pts, locking weights before anyone scores. Have each person score alone first, then discuss only where scores diverge most. A month later, revisit the date in Set a review trigger and reopen if that condition has been met.
Once you have a free account, you can copy this template from the marketplace
