Checklist

Decision Evidence Checklist: Minimum Viable Inputs for Reliable Choices

A one-page interactive checklist teams can complete before or during a decision meeting to ensure the decision statement, evidence, assumptions, stakeholders, success criteria, and review actions are captured and saved for organizational learning.

Interactive Tool

Decision Evidence Checklist: Minimum Viable Inputs

How to use this checklist

Complete this checklist before or at the start of a decision meeting. Capture the minimum evidence, assumptions, stakeholders, and success criteria so the group can make a reliable, reviewable choice and learn from outcomes. Keep entries short and concrete.

Filled example

Decision: Choose the supplier for component X for Q4 volume.

Why it matters: Impacts production continuity and 8% of COGS.

Evidence (top 3): 1) Supplier A reliability: 98% on-time in last 6 months (ERP, June 2026). 2) Cost quote: Supplier A $9.40/unit vs Supplier B $9.10/unit (procurement quotes, 2026-07-05). 3) QA pass rates: Supplier A 1.2% defects vs Supplier B 1.8% (QA reports, May 2026).

Top assumption: Supplier A will maintain current capacity; test: request production plan confirmation this week.

Stakeholders: Procurement owner: J. Lee; Ops lead: M. Ortega; QA: S. Kim. Escalation: Site Manager -> VP Ops.

Success criteria & review date: No missed deliveries >1 for the next 60 days; review 2026-09-10.

Record: Decision logged in Decision Ledger ID DEC-2026-077; follow-up owner J. Lee.

Describe the concrete choice to be made, including the options if space allows.
Who or what is affected, and why timing matters.
Choose how soon this decision must be implemented.
State the fact/metric and why it matters. E.g., 'OTD 98% in last 6 months.'
Where the evidence came from and the date (e.g., ERP, 2026-06-30).
Second most important piece of evidence.
Source and date.
Third most important piece of evidence (or a qualitative insight).
Source and date.
Optional: other supporting data or where to find it.
State the assumption that, if false, would change the decision.
A quick, low-cost action to validate or invalidate the assumption.
Second key assumption.
How to check it quickly.
List the highest-impact risks tied to this decision.
List names or roles and responsibilities (who must agree, who must be informed).
E.g., Site Manager -> VP Ops.
How you'll judge the decision succeeded. Be specific and measurable where possible.
Planned date to check outcomes (YYYY-MM-DD).
Person responsible for logging the decision and tracking actions.
Optional. Add the ID or URL of your decision ledger entry.
List concrete next steps with responsible people and dates.
Short guidance for the meeting facilitator: insist on concise answers, capture evidence sources, confirm owner for follow-ups.
Has the facilitator confirmed the checklist items are complete?
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