7sc~ | Driving Complex Decisions | Garrett D Bates
https://garrettdbates.com/driving-complex-decisions
Saved on 2025-09-24 [20355 edays] via garrettdbates.com
Modified 2025-09-25 [20356 edays]
work

Step Number Step Name Description Acceptance Criteria Maximum Timeframe
1 Provocation Creation Driver creates an initial proposal to kickstart discussion At least one viable solution is documented and ready to share. Sequence diagram between relevant systems created. Driver can defend the proposal against basic inquiry. 1-2 days
2 Initial Provocation Shareout Driver presents the initial proposal to stakeholders All relevant stakeholders have been briefed on the provocation proposal 1 day
3 Provocation Understanding Driver follows up until stakeholders comprehend the initial proposal Questions about the provocation have been answered; All stakeholders explicitly confirm they understand the baseline option. 1-2 days
4 Stakeholder Brainstorms Driver facilitates sessions to gather alternatives and input Every stakeholder acknowledges they understand every option and its corresponding pros/cons. The team has no further options or pros/cons to add to the discussion. Salient points have been written down for future reference. 1-2 days
5 Stakeholder Brainstorm Follow Ups Driver gets insights from subject matter experts and completes data investigations All stakeholders explicitly confirm there are no outstanding follow ups necessary to make the decision 2-3 days
6 Stakeholder Brainstorm Distillation Driver organizes the teams thoughts and ideas All options and corresponding pros/cons have been written down in a way that is easily consumable at a glance; distillation provided to the approver 1 day
7 Approver Declares Intent Approver provides a preview of the option they plan to choose Approver informs the team of what decision they plan on making 1 day
8 Approval Fillibuster Approver facilitates getting feedback from team members before finalizing the decision All team members acknowledge that the approver adequately understands the full implications of their intended decision 1 day
9 Decision Made Approver makes the final call Stakeholders informed verbally; execution effectively unblocked 1 day
10 Cascade Broadly Driver documents the decision for broad consumption Decision recorded in conjunction with approver signature; Link to decision shared with front line engineers 1-2 days