Decision contract template

# Decision Contract Template

Use one contract for each consequential choice that needs an explicit authority, evidence bundle, decision date, or escalation route. Use it alongside—not instead of—a RACI for recurring work and participation.

| Field | Record |
| --- | --- |
| Decision ID and title | A short unique label and the precise choice to be made. |
| Decision statement | The decision in plain language, including the boundary of what is in and out of scope. |
| Why it matters | Value, risk, customer, operational, financial, regulatory, safety, or strategic consequence. |
| Accountable authority | The role or forum with authority to decide within its delegation. |
| Guardrails and delegated limits | The constraints, tolerances, policy, budget, assurance, or conditions within which the choice may be made. |
| Options | Viable choices, including the consequences and the option of doing nothing where relevant. |
| Required evidence | Minimum information, evidence source, assumptions, confidence, and unresolved questions needed before deciding. |
| Contributors | Who prepares, is consulted, advises, is informed, or executes—plus when their input is needed. |
| Latest useful decision date | The point after which delay materially narrows options or increases cost/risk. |
| Escalation trigger | The condition that moves the decision to another authority. |
| Decision record | Date, choice, accountable authority, rationale, conditions, dissent or reservations, and implementation owner. |
| Review condition | What evidence, event, or date requires the decision to be reviewed, revised, or retired. |

## Usage rules

1. Use one accountable authority. If several people must agree, specify the forum, legal/delegated basis, and route for unresolved conflict.
2. Keep contributors proportional to consequence. Consultation is input, not an undisclosed veto.
3. Put the decision date next to the decision, not in a separate meeting calendar.
4. Record assumptions and conditions so later reviewers can distinguish a changed context from a poor implementation.
5. Retain the contract with the decision record; do not overwrite the original choice after the fact.

## Limits

This is a Strategica template. It does not replace any organisation’s scheme of delegation, board authority, contract, law, regulation, safety case, security approval, financial control, or employment policy.