A simple decision-making framework for making fast decisions

Prudent decision making in a group is a challenge. The process is often a lethargic experience as the team forms together. More challenging still, team members are vulnerable to different biases. 

Erik Larson from Cloverpop has created a 6 step process to make decisions faster as a group while minimizing bias within the team. The underlying theory: People are inherently irrational, and most decision making can be enhanced by following a mere checklist. I've come to label this list as the "Larson List". It's best to use this team in a small group who have a stake in the decision and the result:

1. Set goals

In a shared setting, start by writing down five strategic company goals. Under this context, use the opportunity to attempt to describe the outcome you are seeking.

2. List alternatives

List four realistic alternate options to the decision you are trying to make.

3. Missing information 

What the team does know can create a strong bias. To overcome that, write down the most crucial information the team is missing.

4. Impact

Attempt to imagine the effect on the decision some time into the future. Use storytelling practices to articulate what the company will look like in the future because of the decision taken in this instance. 

5. Record the decision 

Write down the decision and share it amongst the team members. It's important to document: 

• Why the decision was taken;
• To avoid a kind of group blurriness that leads to poor choices, write down how much and specifically who in the team supported the decision.

6. Retrospective 

Schedule a retrospective on the decision in the near future. Use the opportunities to learn from the process and make corrections if needed. 

To make better, faster decisions as a group, use the "Larson List" to remove biases and increase accountability in the context of strategic business goals. 

Comotion is, at heart, an innovation technology company. Comotion builds systems in Mendix. Seed Analytics, ComoDash, and Hirebright are companies within the Comotion group.