Major Purchase Assessment

What the framework is

A major purchase decision compares a shortlist, such as cars, flats, laptops or kitchens, against what matters to you, each criterion weighted. It turns a pile of browser tabs and reviews into a ranking you can explain.

What the result looks like

When it earns its place

Use it when you're down to two to six real candidates and the differences are trade-offs, not deal-breakers. The template starts with five criteria; rename them to fit. For a car, for example: price, running costs, reliability, space and how it drives.

The trap is deciding on price or looks first, then finding reasons for it. Agreeing the weights before you compare makes that harder.

How to run it with a group

1. Cut the list to two to six options you'd genuinely buy.
2. Rename the criteria and decide how much each counts.
3. Compare the options two at a time on each criterion.
4. If others will share it, living in the flat or driving the car, send them the link. Participants do not need an account to respond.
5. Check the ranking per criterion. If the winner is last on running costs, work out what that costs over the years you'll own it.

More templates like this

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• Relocation Decision Assessment

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• Education & Course Selection

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• Relationship Decision Assessment

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• Lifestyle Change Prioritisation

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