Personal Decision Assessment

What the framework is

A personal decision assessment compares the options in a big personal choice against what matters to you, each criterion weighted. The template starts with five criteria: Long-Term Benefit, Personal Fulfilment, Financial Impact, Risk Level and Lifestyle Fit. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

What the result looks like

When it earns its place

Use it when you are stuck between two to five real options and keep going round in circles. Writing the options and criteria down is often half the answer.

The trap is deciding first and scoring afterwards. If you already know which option you want, notice it. Then check whether the ranking agrees, and if not, which criterion is pulling against it.

How to run it with a group

1. List two to five options, including doing nothing if that is possible.
2. Rename the criteria to fit, and decide how much each counts for you now.
3. Compare the options two at a time on each criterion.
4. If the decision affects others, send them the link too. Participants do not need an account to respond.
5. Read the ranking per criterion as well as overall. An option that wins overall but ranks last on risk needs a plan for that risk.

More templates like this

• Career Decision Assessment

  Compare jobs, career paths, or professional opportunities in a structured and balanced way. Useful for career changes, promotions, or long-term professional planning. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

• Relocation Decision Assessment

  Compare relocation options across lifestyle, opportunity, cost, and personal priorities. Useful for deciding where to live or whether to move. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

• Education & Course Selection

  Compare universities, courses, qualifications, or learning pathways across value, interest, cost, and future opportunity. Useful for students, professionals, and career changers. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

• Relationship Decision Assessment

  Reflect on important relationship decisions across compatibility, trust, values, communication, and long-term fit. Useful for navigating significant personal relationship choices. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

• Lifestyle Change Prioritisation

  Compare lifestyle changes or habits to identify which could create the greatest positive impact. Useful for wellbeing, productivity, balance, and personal growth. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.

• Personal Goal Prioritisation

  Compare goals, ambitions, or aspirations to decide where to focus time, energy, and resources. Useful when managing multiple competing priorities. The criteria can be changed, added to and weighted.