Decision meetings that end with a documented decision
A decision meeting should produce a chosen option, a rationale and owners — documented so it does not get reopened later. Without a decision method, it ends in debate and ambiguity.
Session
Quarterly Planning
Facilitator guide
Set the context, then invite each participant to share their top priority before opening discussion.
Step 2 of 4 · 18 min left
Decisions & next steps
The typical problem
Discussions go in circles, objections surface after the meeting, and the "decision" is never written down. Weeks later, no one is sure what was agreed.
When to use this format
- A single, important decision to make
- Choosing between competing options
- A cross-functional decision needing buy-in
Who should attend
The decision owner, the people with the information to decide, and those who must implement. Keep it small enough to reach real alignment.
Recommended structure
- Decision statement
- Options review
- Criteria scoring
- Objection round
- Decision confirmation
- Owner and deadline assignment
Common facilitation risks
- Criteria agreed after scoring
- Objections ignored until later
- No documented rationale
- No clear owner for the decision
How Moderando helps
The Decision Meeting template builds a structured decision method with a decision log, chosen option, rejected alternatives, rationale, owners and deadlines.
Sample agenda (75 minutes)
- 0:00–0:10
Decision statement
What exactly are we deciding?
- 0:10–0:25
Options review
Present the viable options.
- 0:25–0:40
Criteria and scoring
Agree criteria, then score.
- 0:40–0:55
Objection round
Surface and address objections.
- 0:55–1:10
Confirm decision
State the chosen option and why.
- 1:10–1:15
Owners and deadlines
Assign owners and next check-in.
Make your next decision with structure
Generate a decision meeting facilitation plan.