Decision-Making Framework
Work through any tough business decision systematically, from hiring and pricing to partnerships and pivots. Evaluates options across multiple criteria, surfaces hidden risks, stress-tests your assumptions, and produces a clear recommendation with a pre-mortem.
decision making · framework · analysis · strategy · critical thinking · risk assessment
Use this when you have been going back and forth on something for more than 48 hours. The structure breaks the analysis paralysis loop.
How to use this prompt
- Pick your AI model. Choose the tab for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. Each variant is tuned for that model.
- Copy the full prompt. Click Copy Full Prompt to copy the text to your clipboard.
- Paste into your AI tool. Open your chosen model and paste the prompt into a new chat.
- Replace the [placeholders]. Swap any bracketed fields for your company name, audience, product or tone.
- Run and refine. Review the output. If anything is off, ask the AI to tighten tone, length or format.
Prompt Variants by Model
Act as a strategic advisor. Help me make a tough decision. I want clarity, not more things to consider.
Decision [WHAT] · options [LIST] · deadline [WHEN] · stakes [WHAT IF WRONG] · gut feeling [WHAT I LEAN TOWARD] · why I'm stuck [WHAT MAKES THIS HARD]
Constraints: budget [AMOUNT] · time [EFFORT] · reversible [YES/NO] · people affected [WHO]
Work through:
1. Reframe — am I asking the right question?
2. Criteria matrix — 5-7 weighted criteria, each option scored
3. Second-order effects — 6 and 12 months out
4. Risk — worst realistic case per option
5. Assumption check — challenge my top 3
6. Pre-mortem — how does the leading option fail?
7. Recommendation with reasoning
8. Decision trigger — what new information would change it
Success means the recommendation names one option, states the strongest argument against it, and the matrix scores are explained, not just listed.
Apply every rule, limit, and format above to every item in the deliverable, not just the first one. Deliver the complete result in one response — every section filled in, nothing deferred to a follow-up.
If a required input is missing, ask for it once before starting; otherwise proceed and label any assumption you made.Notes: R40 refresh; tuned to vendor prompting guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Decision-Making Framework prompt do?
Work through any tough business decision systematically, from hiring and pricing to partnerships and pivots. Evaluates options across multiple criteria, surfaces hidden risks, stress-tests your assumptions, and produces a clear recommendation with a pre-mortem.
Which AI models is this prompt written for?
Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Each one gets its own version up top, written the way that vendor says to prompt its own model. Pick the tab that matches yours.
Do I need a paid AI account to use this prompt?
No. This prompt is written to run on the free tier of Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Paid tiers simply give you longer context windows and faster responses.
Can I customize this prompt for my business?
Yes. Any text inside square brackets is a placeholder you replace with your own business details, such as company name, audience, product or tone. You can also ask the AI to adjust format, length or style after the first output.
When was this prompt last checked?
The date is on each version up top. We check every prompt in full every month, and when a major new model lands we rewrite the prompt for it. One glance tells you how current it is before you paste.
Works with
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