Settled decisions and open questions
A decision is a choice the Project Lead has recorded with an owner and a reason. Until then it is an open question, and work should not depend on it.
The entries below are worked examples from the sample Northstar move. They illustrate the record's shape and are not connected to a decision log.
Worked example: move in three phases
A complete decision record, from question to review trigger.
Agreed
Decided: phased moves by department
Decision owner: Project Lead, with the Business Operations sponsor. Six departments move in three phases instead of one weekend.
- Finance and HR first, because their needs are the most predictable
- Customer-facing Sales and Support in the middle, with cover from the old building for two days
- Product and Operations last, after settling-in issues are fixed
Trade-off
What was traded off, and when we look again
Phasing costs about two extra weeks and two sites to support. It cuts the risk of every team losing a day at once.
- Review trigger: Phase 1 leaves more than 10 open issues after one week
- Review trigger: the supplier delivery date moves past Week 7
- Who is told: every Department Move Coordinator, within two working days
Sample decision register
Illustrative entries. 'Review if' names the event that reopens a decision.
| Decision | Why | Affects | Review if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phased move by department | Limits the disruption to any one team | All three move milestones | More than 10 Phase 1 issues remain open after one week |
| Neighbourhood seating, no assigned desks on Floor 4 | Product and Operations use desks on alternate days | Floor plan, equipment order | Average attendance passes 70% of headcount |
| Open question: shared quiet room on Floor 3 | Support asked for one; Facilities has not confirmed space | Floor plan | Not decided; the Project Lead sets a date |