Run four diagnostic questions in 60 seconds to select…

Before selecting a decision framework, run four diagnostic questions in sequence: (1) How reversible? (2) How many competing criteria? (3) What time horizon of consequences? (4) What is the cost of analysis itself?—using the answers to converge on the appropriate framework class within 60 seconds.

When This Fires

Before beginning analysis on any non-trivial decision
When a team is debating which decision process to use — run the four questions
When you feel stuck between multiple ways to approach a decision
As the opening step of any structured decision process

Common Failure Mode

Skipping the meta-decision and defaulting to the same framework for all decisions: always using pro/con lists, always using gut instinct, or always using matrices. Each framework has a domain where it excels and domains where it wastes effort or produces poor results. The diagnostic questions ensure framework-decision fit.

The Protocol

(1) Before analysis begins, answer four questions (10-15 seconds each): (1) How reversible? Easily (hours to reverse) → lean lightweight. Moderate (weeks) → lean moderate. Irreversible → lean heavyweight. (2) How many criteria? 1-2 → intuitive or simple comparison. 3-4 → structured list. 5+ → weighted matrix (Use a weighted decision matrix when options exceed 3…). (3) What time horizon? Days → bias toward action, iterate. Months → scenario planning. Years → pre-mortem, multi-perspective analysis. (4) What's the analysis cost? If full analysis takes longer than the decision's value warrants → use the fastest adequate method. (2) Map the answers to a framework class: all lightweight → decide in 15 minutes. Mixed → moderate structured process. All heavyweight → full toolkit (Every decision framework needs five explicit components). (3) Proceed with the selected framework. Do not revisit the meta-decision unless new information changes the diagnostic answers.