Decision tools · Operating reviews
Business Decision Log Template
A decision log preserves what was known at the time and creates a date for checking the result.
- Originally published
- September 5, 2026 by Matt Herrera
- Reviewed and updated
- September 5, 2026 by Matt Herrera
Record the decision at the time
Write the question, date, owner, available evidence, assumptions, alternatives considered, final choice, and immediate action. The record should be short enough to complete while the reasoning is still available.
Name the expected result
Use a measurable observation and a review date. For example, a pricing test may be reviewed after a defined number of qualified offers, not after an arbitrary period with no traffic.
Review the process without rewriting history
At the review date, record the observed result and what changed. Do not edit the original assumptions to make the decision look better. The gap between expectation and result is the part that improves future judgment.