Fast decisions
Decision in 15 Minutes
A time-boxed protocol for taking one real decision in a quarter of an hour: frame, options, criteria, decide, name an owner.
Quick answer
How do you run Decision in 15 Minutes with a team?
A time-boxed protocol for taking one real decision in a quarter of an hour: frame, options, criteria, decide, name an owner. Duration: 15 minutes. Group size: 4–20 people. Setting: Hybrid. Below you will find a step-by-step guide, the materials and facilitator tips.
- Duration
- 15 minutes
- Group size
- 4–20 people
- Setting
- Hybrid
- Energy level
- Active
- Materials
- A visible timer, A whiteboard or flip chart with five boxes: question, options, criteria, decision, owner, Sticky notes and markers
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
Objective
Practise a simple, repeatable way to decide quickly without skipping the thinking.
Materials
- A visible timer
- A whiteboard or flip chart with five boxes: question, options, criteria, decision, owner
- Sticky notes and markers
Step by step
- Choose one real, low-to-medium-stakes decision the group needs to take (for example, which of three projects to start first).
- Minutes 0–3: write the decision as one question and agree who has the final say.
- Minutes 3–7: list at least two real options, including "do nothing", silently on sticky notes, then group them.
- Minutes 7–10: agree two or three criteria and quickly rate each option against them.
- Minutes 10–13: the decision owner decides, saying the main reason and the biggest risk out loud.
- Minutes 13–15: name the owner, the first step and a date to review the decision.
Facilitator tips
- Be strict with the timer; the point is to feel how much is possible in 15 minutes.
- Separate "who gives input" from "who decides" at the start, or the discussion will drift.
- Afterwards, ask: what did we skip that we normally spend an hour on?
Variations
- Run it twice on two different decisions and compare.
- Remote version: use a shared board and a timer visible on screen.
Accessibility
Seated and discussion-based. Silent writing on sticky notes helps quieter people and non-native speakers to contribute; for remote groups, allow typing in the chat.
