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decision-making / async-work / communication / templates

The Fix: Async Decision Brief Template That Prevents Rambling

Chat threads are where decisions go to die. Stop the endless scrolling and use a structured 'Decision Brief' to get a Yes or No in minutes.

Marta Clarity Marta Clarity

The Thread From Hell

We have confused “talking” with “deciding.”

I watched a client’s engineering channel last week. The question was simple: “Should we delay the release to fix Bug #402?”

The thread lasted two days.

  • Engineer A argued about the severity.
  • Product Manager B asked about customer impact.
  • Salesperson C asked “What bug?”
  • Engineer A pasted a code snippet.

At the end of the day, nobody knew if the release was happening or not. This is The Friction. It is low-signal, high-noise communication. It drains energy and creates anxiety.

The Friction: The Cost of the Scroll

When we debate in chat:

  1. Context is scattered. Key details are buried under emojis.
  2. Authority is vague. Who actually makes the call?
  3. History is lost. Two weeks later, no one can find the decision.

The Flow: The Decision Brief Template

We stop the thread. We move to a document (Notion, Google Doc, or a structured email).

I call this the Async Decision Brief. It must be one page max. It respects the reader’s time.

[TO EDITOR: Create a graphic of a document template with the 5 sections clearly labeled: Context, Options, Recommendation, Risks, Deadline]

Here is the template. Copy it. Use it.

1. The Context (The “Why”)

State the facts. No opinions yet.

  • “We found Bug #402 in the checkout flow. It affects 5% of users. Release is scheduled for tomorrow.”

2. The Options (The “Paths”)

Present the choices clearly. A or B. Maybe C.

  • Option A: Delay release by 2 days to fix.
  • Option B: Release with a warning banner and patch later.

3. The Recommendation (The “Stance”)

Do not be neutral. You are the expert. Pick one.

  • “I recommend Option A. The risk to reputation is too high.”

4. The Risks (The “Cost”)

Be honest about the downside.

  • “If we do Option A, we miss the marketing email cycle.”

5. The Deadline (The “Clock”)

When do we need a Yes/No?

  • “Need decision by 4 PM EST today.”

How to Deploy It

You post the link to this brief in the chat. You tag the Decision Maker. “@Sarah, I need a call on the Release. Brief is here: [Link]. Recommendation is to Delay. Need answer by 4 PM.”

Now, Sarah does not need to read 50 messages. She reads one page. She types: “Approved Option A.”

Done. The decision is logged. The team is clear. The noise is zero.

Process is not bureaucracy. Process is speed.

FAQs

What if the decision is urgent?

Then writing the brief is even more important. Panic causes mistakes. Structure prevents them.

Does this replace meetings?

Yes. 90% of decision meetings can be an email. This is that email.

My team won't read it.

They will if you refuse to discuss it until they do. 'Please read the brief' is a complete sentence.