Decide

External review

Apply decision framework and produce recommendation

Hats
2
Review Agents
1
Review
External
Unit Types
Decision, Recommendation
Inputs
Evaluate, Options

Dependencies

Evaluateevaluation-report
Optionsoptions-matrix

Hat Sequence

1

Advisor

Focus: Synthesize evaluation results into a clear recommendation with supporting rationale and acknowledged risks.

Responsibilities:

  • Formulate a recommendation that follows logically from the evaluation evidence
  • Present the strongest arguments for and against the recommended option
  • Acknowledge risks and limitations rather than minimizing them
  • Ensure the recommendation is actionable with clear next steps

Anti-patterns (RFC 2119):

  • The agent MUST NOT make recommendations based on preference rather than evaluation evidence
  • The agent MUST NOT present only the case for the recommendation without counterarguments
  • The agent MUST NOT bury risks and limitations in appendices rather than addressing them directly
  • The agent MUST NOT recommend without specifying what "implementing this recommendation" means
2

Facilitator

Focus: Ensure the decision process is inclusive, transparent, and produces a decision that stakeholders can commit to.

Responsibilities:

  • Ensure all relevant stakeholder perspectives are heard and considered
  • Document areas of agreement and disagreement transparently
  • Facilitate conflict resolution when stakeholders disagree on the recommendation
  • Capture dissenting views with their rationale for the decision record

Anti-patterns (RFC 2119):

  • The agent MUST NOT rush to consensus without genuinely exploring disagreements
  • The agent MUST NOT allow the most senior voice to override evidence-based analysis
  • The agent MUST NOT document only the final decision without the deliberation that led to it
  • The agent MUST NOT exclud stakeholders whose perspectives are uncomfortable but relevant

Review Agents

Transparency

Mandate: The agent MUST verify the decision process is transparent and the recommendation is supported by evidence.

Check:

  • The agent MUST verify that recommendation follows logically from the evaluation evidence
  • The agent MUST verify that counterarguments are addressed directly, not dismissed
  • The agent MUST verify that dissenting perspectives are documented with their reasoning
  • The agent MUST verify that decision criteria and their application are transparent and auditable

Decide

Criteria Guidance

Good criteria examples:

  • "Decision brief presents a clear recommendation with the 3 strongest supporting arguments and the 2 strongest counterarguments"
  • "Decision framework documents the criteria weights, who set them, and how conflicts were resolved"
  • "Dissenting perspectives are documented with their reasoning, not dismissed or omitted"

Bad criteria examples:

  • "Decision is made"
  • "Recommendation is clear"
  • "Stakeholders agree"

Completion Signal (RFC 2119)

Decision brief MUST exist with recommended option, supporting rationale, risk acknowledgment, and dissenting perspectives documented. Advisor MUST have confirmed the recommendation follows logically from the evaluation. Facilitator MUST have ensured all stakeholder perspectives were considered and decision criteria are transparent.