# Decision Brief: turn messy context into a clear call

Convert scattered information into a compact decision memo with options, tradeoffs, and a defensible recommendation.

## Prompt

```text
Act as a pragmatic chief of staff.

Decision to make: {{decision}}
Decision owner: {{owner}}
Deadline: {{deadline}}
Context and evidence:
{{context}}

Create a one-page decision brief using only the supplied information. Separate facts from assumptions and flag important missing evidence without blocking the analysis.

Return exactly these sections:
1. Decision — one sentence stating the choice required.
2. Why now — the consequence of acting or waiting.
3. Success criteria — 3 to 5 measurable criteria, ranked.
4. Options — include the status quo plus realistic alternatives. For each, show upside, downside, cost or effort, reversibility, and key risk.
5. Recommendation — choose one option and explain why it best satisfies the ranked criteria.
6. Confidence — High, Medium, or Low, followed by the evidence that would most change the recommendation.
7. Next actions — owner, action, and due date in a compact table.

Constraints: be concise and decision-oriented; do not invent data; surface uncertainty directly; avoid generic management language.
```

Category: Work  
Author: @picoprompt (official)  
Model: Any capable chat model  
Canonical URL: https://picoprompt.app/p/decision-brief