What is this pattern for
Decision principles are shared guidelines that help teams make consistent, aligned decisions without relying on top-down control. Instead of endless meetings or unclear authority, this pattern empowers people to act with confidence, knowing the values and criteria that guide good decisions. It supports autonomy, reduces friction, and makes judgment visible and transferable.
The growth stages this pattern fits best in
List of related patterns
How to description for the use of this pattern
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step approach to using this pattern:
Step 1: Name the challenge
Begin by identifying where decision-making currently feels slow, unclear, or inconsistent. Use real examples to ground the discussion.
Step 2: Gather inputs from the team
Ask questions like: “What makes a good decision in our context?” or “What principles already guide us when we decide well?”
Step 3: Draft simple, memorable principles
Aim for 3 to 7 concise guidelines. Examples:
- “Act in service of the customer.”
- “Decide as close to the work as possible.”
- “Prioritize learning over being right.”
- “Make trade-offs visible.”
Step 4: Test against real scenarios
Apply the draft principles to past or current decisions. Do they help? Are they too vague or too rigid? Refine based on feedback.
Step 5: Make them visible
Publish the principles in team spaces, canvases, or internal handbooks. Refer to them in meetings and decisions.
Step 6: Use them in practice
Encourage people to cite the principles when proposing or defending a decision. This builds a shared language of reasoning.
Step 7: Evolve them over time
Review the principles regularly. Add, remove, or revise them as the team or organization grows and learns.