Name the choice in one sentence
Avoid a list of symptoms. Describe the fork: “Should we launch the self-serve plan this quarter, or fix activation first?” A real fork gives the people around the table something concrete to test.
- State the two or three paths you are genuinely considering.
- Say what a good result looks like and when you would know.
- Write the constraint that cannot be traded away.
Separate facts from a strong hunch
A hunch can be useful, but it should not be dressed up as proof. Put a source, customer quote, metric, or direct observation beside each fact. Label the rest as an assumption.
- Ask what would make the current plan wrong.
- Use the same source pack for every reviewer.
- Keep missing details visible instead of filling them with confidence.
Choose a move that teaches you something
The best next move often preserves options. A limited customer test, a written offer, or a small operating trial can answer the question before a costly commitment locks you in.
- Make the first test small enough to finish this week.
- Set the signal that counts before you run it.
- Record the outcome so the next decision starts with evidence.