Decision making tips — delay as long as possible, but no longer.

Decision making is a key to success. So here are some tips I’ve learned.

Delay any decision as long as possible (always know more later on); and, make decisions swiftly.

Balance is key.

Bring together as much context as you can right now. Gather all the information, but also make a decision right now.

Bring together all possible options. Do not go with the first problem, opportunity, or solution without evaluating alternatives.

Be aware of what you are saying “no” to — not just what you are saying “yes” to.

Hypothesize two or three steps down the path if possible, what could change, how would that impact your decision? Then decide what to do right now, don’t wait to start down one path.

Stay agile. Two way doors where you can. Know you will almost certainly make sub-optimal decisions — be ready to adjust and build value each iteration.

Remember a decision today doesn’t preclude future decisions.

Be humble. We never get it 100% right — know this and account for it. Don’t let arrogance of false-certainty delay decisions or cause surprises.

Don’t gamble everything in one shot, make resilient decisions (decisions you can recover from); but, also, there’s always risk of some loss.

Have a bias for action. Most decisions are either uninformed or too slow, seize the opportunity for balance.

Be aggressive. Avoid arrogance.

For product-success, we measure outcomes. For improving decision-making, measure your decisions against what was possible to know or weigh differently at the time it was made.

Don’t argue about obstacles and opportunities, decide them. Only by deciding can we move past.